As Minnesota begins to thaw, MnDOT is kicking off a busy construction season by closing Interstate 35W in both directions for the weekend between I-94 and Highway 62 in Minneapolis.
The closure begins at 10 p.m., Friday, March 2, so crews can demolish the 38th Street bridge. Southbound I-35W will be open to traffic south of 46th Street.
Crews will begin closing the on-and-off ramps for I-35W about one hour before closing the interstate, according to MnDOT.
Drivers will be detoured using I-394, Highway 100 and Highway 62. I-35W will reopen to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, March 5.
In addition, the department says, the 38th Street bridge spanning I-35W will close beginning at 6 a.m., Friday, March 2. Detours involve westbound traffic using Third Avenue South, 35th Street and Nicollet Avenue. Eastbound traffic will use Nicollet Avenue, 36th Street and Third Avenue South.
These closures are part of the four-year 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown reconstruction project on I-35W between 43rd Street and downtown Minneapolis. That $239 million project began last year..
The work includes reconstructing pavement, bridges and ramps on I-35W, adding new access ramps to the Lake Street Business District, building a transit station on the interstate and constructing new MnPASS lanes. Completion is slated for Fall 2021.
To learn more about the project, visit: mndot.gov/35w94.