Along with the warm September weather, construction on I-35W south of Downtown Minneapolis is also heating up. The 35W@94 Downtown to Crosstown project has begun and construction is in full swing.
The next couple of weeks are filled with a fair amount of traffic impacts. Sign up for rider alerts to stay in the know about your transit routes. Here’s the scoop on the upcoming lane, ramp and bridge closures:
Ramp Closures
-
12th St to southbound I-35W
Express and limited stop riders on I-35W will notice delays leaving Downtown in the afternoon. The number of lanes will be reduced until late 2017.
-
31st St to southbound I-35W
The southbound ramp will be closed until early October for utility work. A detour for drivers is in place.
-
Southbound I-35W to 35th St
Starting Thursday 9/21 the ramp from 1-35W to 35th/36th St will close for one week. Route 133 and Route 135 riders will be affected.
Lane Closures
Express and limited stop riders on I-35W will notice delays into Downtown in the morning rush hour starting near 26th St. The MnPASS shoulder lane is not expected to re-open until 2018.
Starting Monday 9/25 there will be perodic lane closures of I-35W for utility work. Express and limited stop riders on I-35W will notice delays on their commutes.
Bridge Closures
The Franklin Ave Bridge over I-35W will close on Monday 9/18 until mid-2018 for reconstruction. Pedestrians, drivers and transit riders will be detoured.
Starting Saturday 9/30 the Portland Ave Bridge over I-94 will be closed to drivers and buses. Pedestrians and bicyclists will still be able to cross the freeway. Route 9 will detour to Chicago Avenue in the southbound direction.
Freeway Closures
-
MnDOT is planning to close I-35W in both directions between Highway 62 and I-94 on two weekends. The first closure will be late 9/29 through early 10/2. There are many events this weekend and the Blue Line will be one of the best ways into Downtown Minneapolis. The second closure will be 10/6 through 10/8.
