Prepare For Notable Traffic Shift On Portion Of Minnesota’s I-94

Road construction season is ramping up throughout Minnesota and wherever you are traveling within the state, there's a chance your travel time and route could be impacted.

Of course, the key is to plan for these things and allow extra time to reach your destination, especially during peak traffic times.

This week, the Minnesota Department of Transportation prepared motorists for lane closures and, ultimately, a shift in traffic on a portion of I-94. The good news is that it should ultimately help motorists travel through the area.

Interstate 94 Lane Closures & Traffic Shift Timeline

According to MnDOT, motorists will encounter overnight lane closures on Interstate 94 in Lakeland starting May 22 when it shifts traffic to alleviate some of the current travel challenges caused by the I-94 Oakdale to Lakeland construction project.

The project, with an estimated cost of $120 million, is expected to be completed in late fall of this year. The project will update drainage, improve safety, reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and extend pavement life.

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Here is what to expect this week:

• Starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, both directions of I-94 from the Highway 95/St. Croix Trail interchange to the middle of the river bridge will be reduced to a single lane until 5 a.m. Thursday, May 23.
• Construction crews will shift both lanes of traffic to mainline I-94, so motorists will no longer have to use Highway 95/St. Croix Trail ramps as their second lane.
• Crews will also reopen Highway 95/St. Croix Trail underneath the I-94 bridges, and the ramp from southbound Highway 35 to westbound I-94 in Wisconsin.

What Happens Next?

MnDOT says that after Memorial Day the following ramps will close to allow crews to finish resurfacing the pavement in this area:

• The westbound I-94 ramp to Highway 95 will be closed starting at 5 a.m. Thursday, May 30 through the end of June. Motorists can bypass this ramp closure using westbound I-94, Manning Avenue, eastbound I-94, and Highway 95/St. Croix Trail.
• Highway 95/St. Croix Trail ramp to eastbound I-94 will be closed starting at 5 a.m. Friday, May 31 through the end of June. Motorists can bypass this ramp closure using St. Croix Trail, westbound I-94, Manning Ave., and eastbound I-94.
• MnDOT is resurfacing the pavement and making other improvements to I-94 between Highway 120/Century Avenue and the St. Croix River through fall 2024. The work will improve safety, traffic flow, and ride smoothness.
• MnDOT is resurfacing the pavement and making other improvements to I-94 between Highway 120/Century Avenue and the St. Croix River through fall 2024. The work will improve safety, traffic flow, and ride smoothness.

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Remember, all construction activities and traffic impacts are weather-dependent and subject to change. MnDOT urges motorists to be attentive, drive with caution, and slow down in work zones where workers are present. Current road conditions are always available at 511MN.org.