I-94W closure in Mpls. postponed, but watch out for these other weekend traffic woes
There's been a last-minute change of plans from the Minnesota Department of Transportation that will make driving on Interstate 94 in the Twin Cities less of a hassle this weekend.
It's also the first full weekend of the Minnesota State Fair, so drive carefully and expect some extra congestion near the fairgrounds or near any park-and-rides. The good news is that there's no construction on Snelling Avenue during the fair — all lanes are open, with no traffic restrictions.
Here's a look at this weekend's traffic impacts.
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I-94, Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center
The weekend closure of westbound I-94 that was scheduled to start Friday night and continue through Monday morning has been postponed because of rain. Instead, the closure of westbound I-94 from Interstate 394 to Interstate 694 will take place from 10 p.m. Sept. 8 to 5 a.m. Sept. 11, weather permitting.
And while we're talking about I-94 closures, we'll just warn you of this now: Closures of the eastbound lanes from I-694 to I-394 are scheduled for Sept. 15-18 and Sept. 22-25.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the ramp from eastbound I-394 (and HOV) to eastbound I-94 will reopen, as will the left lane of the ramp from eastbound I-94 to Fourth Street.
At the airport
A reminder that if you're taking to the skies, you may experience some delays at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport because of installation of new security lanes.
The work is expected to take three weeks to complete; during this time it may take passengers longer to pass through security.
On the Blue Line
Expect some minor delays this weekend on the Blue Line. From about 8 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. Sunday, it will operate on a reduced schedule in both directions to allow for maintenance work in the Terminal 1-Lindberg station tunnel.
Metro Transit says regular service will return before the scheduled Vikings preseason game Sunday.
Next week: Lowry Tunnel to reopen
Weather permitting, the Lowry Tunnel could fully reopen next Thursday — 10 days ahead of schedule, MnDOT announced Friday.
Before that can happen, both directions of the tunnel will close from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday. In addition, I-94 west will be closed from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday.
According to MnDOT, the following ramps are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. Thursday:
• Interstate 35W north to I-94 west
• Highway 55 to I-94 east
• Fourth Avenue to I-94 east
Statewide
If you're traveling in Greater Minnesota, here's what you can expect to slow you down on the roads:
https://twitter.com/MnDOTtraffic/status/900838659762606081
MPR News digital producer Sara Porter contributed to this report.