News Release

(Roseville, Minn.) - The Minnesota Department of Transportation will close northbound and southbound I-494 between Highway 61 and Lake Road at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2002. The closure is necessary as crews remove the Bailey Road (County Road 18) bridge that spans I-494. Weather permitting, northbound and southbound I-494 will re-open to traffic by 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4.

The posted detour for this closure will be on Highway 61 and I-94. Motorists are advised either to follow the posted detour during the closure or seek an alternate route. Advance warning signs will be posted early the week of Oct. 27. The Bailey Road bridge is being removed to make room for a new bridge that will be opened to traffic in the fall of 2003.

This construction is part of the Wakota project, more information is available on the project at www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/wakota

Mn/DOT urges motorists to drive with caution, reminding them to SLOW DOWN in the work zone and NEVER enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones.

For updated traffic information, weather-related road conditions, construction, and congestion information, in the Twin Cities metro area, dial 511 or log onto 511mn.org.

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