Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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The warming spring weather is bittersweet for Minnesota travelers. As ice melts, another road obstacle presents itself: construction.

Orange cones and lane closures have already popped up around Minnesota, signs that construction season is well underway. More than 200 projects are planned to improve state roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure in the next several months.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation held a press conference this week to share what Minnesotans should know.

Safety officials highlighted big projects, warned drivers to be careful in construction zones and explained some of the reasoning behind project logistics.

Expect traffic slowdowns in the Twin Cities and beyond

Fingers crossed, it’s the last year (for a while) of construction on Interstates 394 and 94 in Minneapolis. Lanes will close in each direction, as well as some ramps and bridges, causing backups through November.

In St. Paul, the John Ireland Boulevard Bridge over I-94 will be reconstructed and rebuilt, with the goal to reopen it before the Twin Cities Marathon in October.

Other major traffic impacts in the Twin Cities to note:

Drivers pose the biggest danger to road construction workers

The Minnesota State Patrol receives many service calls with reports of people driving into wet cement or nearly hitting construction workers, according to spokesperson Lt. Mike Lee.

There were more than 13,000 work-zone related crashes statewide from 2019 to 2024, according to Lee. Of those, there were 58 fatalities, with most involving motorists.

“Sometimes the delays and detours can test our patience,” Lee said. “But remember this: impatient and risky driving behaviors are not tolerated, and they can put lives at risk.”

Driver speed and distraction are the biggest dangers for construction workers, according to Joel Smith, president of the laborers’ union LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. He asked drivers to slow down and keep eyes on the road.

“We share the same goal as every driver on this road. To go home safely at the end of the day,” Smith said. “Help us do that.”

There are tools to help navigate construction season

The state website MnDOT.gov has information on construction projects and people can subscribe to email updates.

511mn.org or the 511 app has near real-time travel information on closures, detours and traffic volumes.

In general, Lee advised travelers to expect work zones to constantly change. He said people should prepare for delays, be patient and zipper merge — something Minnesotans are notoriously bad at. The Idaho Transportation Department has 

If a road is closed but no work is happening, that’s for worker safety

Tim Nelson, director of construction for MnDOT’s metro district, said crews can’t work 24 hours a day, and many already work extended hours. A road or lane may remain closed because it’s not safe for the public.

“We are working as hard as we can, as fast as we can, to get the project done safely,” Nelson said.

MnDOT commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said the state agency does consider nighttime construction work to minimize travel disruption.

The downside is that overnight construction creates noise for nearby communities.

“There is really a lot to balance,” Daubenberger said. “Safety is one of the biggest concerns, of course, as well. Even though you can bring in lighting, daytime is just generally a safer time for crews to be working out in construction zones.”

Construction is supposed to make our lives better in the long run

Projects will improve accessibility and safety on roads and bridges, as well as reduce congestion on roads, according to state transportation leaders.

Daubenberger said improvements will provide a long-term benefit for Minnesotans.

“It takes a lot of work to keep our roads in top shape. And in our northern climate, summer is when we need to do most of that work,” she said. “MnDOT is working hard to serve you, and we appreciate your patience, your partnership and your awareness as construction season kicks off.”

MnDOT has several significant projects across the state

In Greater Minnesota, some significant construction projects entail:

Metro Transit also has construction underway.

As the transit system makes improvements to the Blue Line, buses will replace its trains from June 29 to Aug. 19.

The Green Line extension, Gold Line and G Line bus rapid transit are expected to open in 2027, according to Metro Transit general manager Lesley Kandaras.

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