The long wait is finally over, as the $33 million expansion project creating a third lane of traffic on each side of Interstate 94 will begin Monday, July 28, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
According to a MnDOT press released issued Friday around noon:
Motorists may encounter slow traffic and delays as lane and shoulder closures occur on both directions of Interstate 94 between Minnesota Highway 241 in St. Michael and Highway 101 in Rogers Monday, July 28.
Both directions of I-94 will be intermittently reduced to a single lane during non-rush hours, while shoulder closures will occur during daytime hours, Mondays through Fridays through Aug. 11.
The closures are needed as crews do preliminary work for the I-94 Corridors of Commerce project Rogers and St. Michael.
The project will add an auxiliary lane to eastbound I-94, add a third lane to westbound I-94 between Highway 101 in Rogers and Highway 241 in St. Michael, extend the turn lane from westbound I-94 to Highway 101, improve the I-94 bridges spanning the Crow River, construct a noise barrier and make other improvements while lanes are closed for construction.
When complete in 2015, the project will help create a more efficient transportation system.
To have notice of traffic changes and other important project information sent to your inbox, subscribe to the project’s email updates at mnodt.gov/d3/i94/<http://www.
dot.state.mn.us/d3/i94/>. For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org
City of St. Michael Community Development Director Marc Weigle said MnDOT informed city leaders here the ramps to Interstate 94 will remain open at Highway 241 during the project. However, the city approved a gravel and construction materials area to the east of the freeway, along County Highway 36, that will call for more truck traffic in that area. Drivers should use caution both in the construction zone on I-94 and when heading east along County Highway 36 (toward Fox Hollow Golf Course).
For more on the project, visit these prior posts courtesy of NWCToday:
MnDOT Lays out Plans for Interstate 94 Expansion to St. Michael
Bachmann, Klobuchar Join St. Michael’s Steve Bot in I-94 ‘Celebration’