News Release

((Roseville, Minn.) - - The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) will begin work on the eastern half of the I-494 third lane expansion, between West Bush Lake Road in BLOOMINGTON and France Ave. in BLOOMINGTON on Monday, May 5, 2003.

Work on the western half of the project, between Highway 5 in EDEN PRAIRIE and West Bush Lake Road in BLOOMINGTON, began April 7.

Motorists may expect night-time lane closures between May 5 and June 30 as crews construct temporary bypass lanes. All lanes will re-open to traffic by 5:30 a.m. each weekday morning through June 30.

In addition to adding the third lane, numerous bridges will be replaced, widened or resurfaced. Construction of the entire three-lane expansion of I-494 between France Ave. in BLOOMINGTON and Highway 5 in EDEN PRAIRIE is scheduled for completion by Autumn 2005.

The East Bush Lake Road Bridge spanning I-494 will be replaced in May 2003. Removing the old East Bush Lake Road Bridge will require closing eastbound and westbound I-494 for one weekend. A full closure schedule and detour route will be issued one week prior to this weekend closure.

Mn/DOT reminds motorists to SLOW DOWN in the work zone and NEVER enter a roadway that has been blocked with barriers or cones. Please join us in a safety partnership.

For updated construction information in the Twin Cities metro area, visit www.dot.state.mn/tmc/trafficinfo. Visit 511mn.org for updated statewide traffic and travel information.

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