Some of the ramp closures listed below are multi-year closures. This is needed to allow motorists to safely travel through the project area during the reconstruction of I-35W. The number of lanes will be reduced and shifted at various times which makes ramp access to/from I-35W difficult for vehicles.
Access into downtown from NB I-35W is one northbound lane to allow for ongoing construction in the area. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes or use transit to travel in/out of downtown.
This ramp is being fully reconstructed. Once complete, motorists will no longer merge on the right side of WB I-94; instead, motorists will merge on the left side and will have a dedicated lane through the Lowry Tunnel, helping to reduce congestion. The Lyndale Ave./Hennepin Ave. exit will still be accessible from WB I-94.
Prior to the reconstruction of the ramp, there are additional construction activities in the I-35W/I-94 junction that need to happen and have been in full swing since mid-June 2018. Highway lanes will be reduced and shifted at various times and construction of the new ramp piers would not allow traffic to be safely switched around.
The number of southbound lanes will be reduced and shifted at various times while crews work for the three years after the 38th St. bridge reopens. This will make it difficult for vehicles entering from 36th St. to safely merge onto SB I-35W.
SB I-35W to 46th St. ramp
Watch for periodic short-term closures through fall 2020
Highway work by location
NB I-35W is reduced to three lanes through fall 2021
MnPASS Express Lanes remain open
SB I-35W between I-94 and Hwy 62 – Closed
10 p.m. Sun, Nov. 17 through 5 a.m. Mon, Nov. 18
SB I-35W is reduced to three lanes through fall 2021
EB I-94 between I-394 and I-35W – CLOSED
Sat, Nov. 16 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local road work by location
2nd Ave. between 31st St. and 32nd St. – CLOSED
Closed Mon, Sept. 9 through early November
SB Second Ave. between 40th St. and 42nd St. – CLOSED
Closed Mon, Aug. 19 through early November
*This closure is part of the I-35W drainage improvement project.
Lake St. between Stevens Ave. and 2nd Ave. - CLOSED
Wed, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lake St. between Nicollet Ave. and 2nd Ave. – LANE REDUCTIONS
Mon, Aug. 26 through Spring 2020
EB 31st St. between Stevens Ave. and 2nd Ave. – CLOSED
9 a.m. Wed, Nov. 13 through 5 p.m. Fri, Nov. 15
Detour:NB Nicollet Ave. to Lake St. to SB 3rd Ave. S
31st St. has reduced lanes between Stevens Ave. and 2nd Ave.
Reduced lanes through fall 2021
Stevens Ave. between the Midtown Greenway and Lake St. – CLOSED
Closed Oct. 22, 2018 through spring 2020
Stevens Ave. between 31st St. and Lake St. – CLOSED
Closed August 2019 through fall 2019
Stevens Ave. between 31st St. and 34th St. – CLOSED
Closed April 2 through fall 2019
Stevens Ave. between 31st St. and 35th St. – CLOSED
Closed Oct. 22, 2018 through fall 2019
Trail and sidewalk impacts
Sidewalks are closed on the following roads:
South side of Lake St. between Stevens Ave. and 2nd Ave. S
South side of 31st St. between Stevens Ave. and 2nd Ave. S
About this project
35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown stage 4 map.
Click map for larger PDF version.
Summary of work
Work on 35W@94: Downtown to Crosstown will include:
Converting NB I-35W Priced Dynamic Shoulder Lane between 46th St. and 26th St. to a permanent MnPASS Lane
Constructing a new MnPASS lane on SB I-35W from 26th St. to 46th St.
Constructing Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit Station at Lake St.
Improving access from I-35W to the Lake Street Business District by constructing two new exit ramps (NB I-35W to 28th St. and SB I-35W to Lake St.
Upgrading accessibility by improving pedestrian accommodations with pedestrian curb ramps and sidewalk upgrades.
Rehabilitating pavement and bridges on I-35W from 46th St. to 11th Ave., Hwy 65 from 26th St. to 15th St., and I-94 from Nicollet Ave. to Park Ave.
Constructing new and rehabilitating existing noise barriers throughout the project limits.
When you encounter a construction zone where a lane will be closed, perform the zipper merge. A zipper merge occurs when motorists use both lanes of traffic until reaching the defined merge area, and then alternate in a "zipper" fashion into the open lane.
