The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Wednesday, Oct. 15 that all lanes of traffic – plus pair of new auxiliary lanes – are open to drivers on Interstate 94 between the two exits in Monticello.
On the eastbound side, a cloverleaf ramp now feeds into an auxiliary lane that runs the half the length of 94 to the Wright County 18 exit cloverleaf, some two miles down the road. That auxiliary lane also continues off the eastbound ramp from County 18 to 94, over the County 75 bridge, as it did before the project.
On the westbound side, an auxiliary lane runs the entire length from County 18 cloverleaf ramp to the Highway 25 off-ramp, giving drivers additional time to merge to off-loading traffic lanes.
The highway is now also “ready-made” for six lanes of traffic, should the state decide continue to expand Interstate 94 to six lanes beyond Highway 241 in St. Michael or either of the Albertville exits.
Here’s a look at the finished product:
The project cost an estimated $17.2 million and also included additional upgrades to traffic signals and a sound wall along westbound I-94 near Fallon Avenue, where an overpass could be placed in the future, according to city plans.
Related: Monticello Interstate Construction Continues as MnDOT Switches Lanes