Portion of 35W to be closed for weekend construction

State transportation officials are reminding motorists that a busy stretch of freeway will close this weekend in Minneapolis.

Interstate 35W will be shut down in both directions between I-94 and Highway 280, beginning at 10 p.m. Friday. The closure is part of a major rehabilitation of the 5th Street ramp from I-94.

Bre Magee, spokeswoman for MnDOT, said the ramp provides access from westbound Interstate-94 into downtown near the Metrodome.

"35W has to close because the 5th Street ramp from westbound 94 actually spans 35W, so in order to remove the bridge deck which they are doing this weekend, they have to close the interstate below," Magee said.

Magee said 35W will reopen in time for the Monday morning rush hour. But, the 5th Street ramp will be closed until the end of July. Motorists will be detoured to the 11th Street exit.

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