The growing pains that come with expanding an existing road are about to get worse beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1, as construction to widen Interstate 94 between Minnesota Highway 101 (in Rogers) and 241 (in St. Michael) reach a tipping point.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, westbound traffic on the interstate can expect major delays – despite non-peak hours of scheduled construction – as westbound I-94 east of Highway 101 in Rogers is reduced to two lanes during beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The closures will continue for approximately two weeks while crews extend the deceleration lane from westbound I-94 to Highway 101 in Rogers.
Intermittent non-peak lane closures on both directions of I-94 west of Highway 101 in Rogers and east of Highway 241 in St. Michael – along the Crow River Bridge area – also will continue until further notice.
The closures and work are part of the I-94 Corridors of Commerce project in Rogers and St. Michael. The project will:
- Add an auxiliary lane to eastbound I-94 between Highway 101 and Highway 241
- Add a third lane to westbound I-94 between Highway 101 and Highway 241
- Extend the deceleration lane from westbound I-94 to Highway 101
- Improve the I-94 bridges spanning the Crow River
- Construct a noise barrier
- Make other improvements while lanes are closed for construction
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the 2015 roadwork season.