News Release

Roseville, Minn.— The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has finalized plans to build a westbound auxiliary lane on I-394 from just east of Louisiana Avenue to General Mills Boulevard in Golden Valley. The plans also include improvements that will add capacity to the Highway 169 exit. When completed, the auxiliary lane will mitigate westbound traffic congestion on I-394.

The project is scheduled to begin August 22, 2005 and will be completed in late November 2005. Work on the project has been scheduled to cause the fewest traffic impacts possible, however there will be periodic westbound, right lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. There will also be occasional daytime, westbound, right lane closures.

The westbound Louisiana Ave. on-ramp will be closed from August 22 until the project is completed. The exit to General Mills Boulevard will be closed from late-August to late-September. The General Mills exit closure will start after the temporary exit to Highway 169 is constructed.

Two detour routes will be posted.
Louisiana Avenue
I-394 east to Highway 100, then take the loops back to west I-394.

General Mills Boulevard
Highway 169 north to Betty Crocker Drive, then east to General Mills Boulevard.

In addition to the roadwork on I-394 this project includes pond excavation work and improvements at Glenwood Avenue. Work on the pond is scheduled to take about a week and will be completed before the Labor Day weekend.

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 statewide traffic, construction and travel information visit www.511mn.org or call 511 or log on to mndot.gov

####