Get ready for a lot more hassle on Interstate 494, as major construction resumes this weekend to the northwest corner of the roadway that connects the west metro to the “exurbs.” The $86 million project to add a third lane to 494 starts with a huge road closure this weekend.
Lanes were narrowed along the corridor from Plymouth to Maple Grove Monday, April 6, and major changes will come through 6 a.m. Friday, April 10. There will periodic, nightly lane closures on northbound and southbound I-494 between I-394 and I-94/694. All lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. the following morning.
Beginning at 8 p.m., Friday, April 10, crews will reduce the lanes and close ramps on northbound I-494 between I-394 and I-94/694. Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, northbound I-494 between I-394 (Minnetonka) and I-94/694 (Maple Grove) will close. Motorists should use US Highway 169 to bypass the northbound closure.
By 5 a.m. Monday, April 13, southbound I-494 between I-94/694 (Maple Grove) and I-394 (Minnetonka) will be closed and all motorists – both NORTH and SOUTH bound – will be driving on the northbound side of I-494.
During the morning peak travel periods there will be two southbound lanes and one northbound lane on I-494 between I-94/694 and Minnesota Highway 55. There will be two lanes in each direction on I-494 between Highway 55 and I-394.
During the evening peak travel periods, there will two northbound lanes and one southbound lane on I-494 between I-94/694 (Maple Grove) and Highway 55 (Plymouth). There will be two lanes in each direction on I-494 between Highway 55 and I-394.
Motorists are advised to drive carefully through the work zone and to watch for slow moving construction vehicles.
For a complete overview of the Interstate 494 project, which will last through 2016, check out the page on the Minnesota Department of Transportation website.
94 Closed in St. Paul this Weekend
In addition to the headache on 494, Interstate 94 will be getting a fresh overlay of asphalt in St. Paul this weekend, closing that roadway.
If you’re headed to the car show at the State Fairgrounds, use 694 to 35W or Snelling and head south there.
I-94 between Hwy 280 and I-35E in St. Paul will be closed 10 p.m. Friday, April 10 through 5 a.m. Monday, April 13.