I-694, I-35W closures top weekend road woes
So here's the bad news: Bridge work is shutting down not one but portions of two major interstates this weekend.
But now a bit of good news: A slew of ramps to various interstates and highways are now open across the metro (see map above).
Here's a guide to this weekend's major traffic impacts.
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Interstate 694 in Fridley, New Brighton
Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday, eastbound I-694 will be closed between Minnesota Highway 252 and Interstate 35W for bridge painting.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says three additional weekends will be needed to finish painting five bridges — the BNSF railroad bridge east of East River Road, Main Street Northeast, Long Lake Road, a railroad bridge just west of Fifth Avenue and the Fifth Avenue Northwest bridge.
More information will be available later.
Interstate 35W, Arden Hills, Mounds View
Northbound I-35W between I-694 and County Road H will close from 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday so crews can place beams for the new County Road H bridge.
Additional closures are also planned for this project: Southbound I-35W between Highway 10 and County Road H from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday and possibly again from 10 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. next Friday, Aug. 26. However, the Thursday-Friday closure may not be needed if work is completed the night prior.
Minnesota Highway 36 in Roseville
From 7 p.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Sunday, westbound Highway 36 will be reduced to a single lane between Dale Street and Hamline Avenue. Westbound traffic will be switched onto the new westbound lanes and bridge.
If needed, lane restrictions will continue from 7 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday.
U.S. Bank Stadium area, Minneapolis
Also worth noting: There'll be several street closures around U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend for the Luke Bryan and Metallica concerts. The Minneapolis Police Department has posted a complete list of closures around the stadium for the next couple days.
Also, if you're planning your exit after the concerts, know that westbound Washington Avenue from Portland Avenue to Hennepin Avenue is closed for street reconstruction. Traffic is being detoured onto Third Street South At Portland Avenue.
Greater Minnesota
Headed outside of the metro this weekend? Be sure to check out the statewide weekend traffic impacts map.