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It's going to be an action-packed weekend in the metro area, with Vikings, Twins and Gophers games 

 the Twin Cities Marathon all taking place this Saturday or Sunday. 

Interstate 35W from Interstate 94 to Minnesota Highway 62 in Minneapolis is shutting down from Friday night through Monday morning, while crews prepare for the demolition of the Franklin Avenue bridge.

 between 43rd Street and downtown Minneapolis. 

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation defended its decision to close the key artery despite a weekend full of events, which had even Gov. Mark Dayton raising "serious concerns about the potential disruptions." The roadway carries as much as 225,000 cars per day on that stretch. 

 of westbound I-94 at the Lowry Tunnel on Friday and Sunday nights because of the nearby I-35W work. 

 MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle said the agency regrets any "significant inconveniences" the closure will cause this weekend. 

"Our intent is to get the work done as quickly as we safely can, and get the road open again," he said. 

He added that the redesign of I-35W is complex and that it's necessary to close the roadway this weekend to keep it on schedule. 

"Any delay would add significant costs to the project," he said.  

Heads up: More interstate closures coming soon

Remember that Lowry Tunnel closure that was supposed to happen this weekend? It's been rescheduled for next week. Westbound I-94 at the tunnel 

 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday through Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, a second weekend closure of I-35W is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6 through Monday, Oct. 9 to complete the Franklin Avenue bridge demolition.

Nancy Yang

Author

MnDOT is defending its decision to close the key artery despite the Twin Cities Marathon, Vikings, Twins and Gopher football games all taking place this weekend. The closure had even Gov. Mark Dayton raising "serious concerns about the potential disruptions."

Motorists drive along Interstate 35W on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. 

MnDOT says sorry, but I-35W is still closing this weekend

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