I-35 North Metro Split   

Traffic impacts

• Learn more about this project, including project stages and how to do the zipper merge when travelling through this project area

Note: All traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change.

Current

Lane closures

5 a.m. to Noon Thu, June 21

• NB I-35 will be reduced to a single lane between Hwy 97 and Hwy 8 to complete a traffic switch.
  • Note: Once this traffic switch is complete, the northbound driving lanes will no longer be separated by concrete barriers

Through early August

• NB I-35 is reduced to two lanes between Hwy 97 and Hwy 8
  • Note: Ramps at Hwy 97 and Broadway Ave. remain open
  • SB I-35 is open to three lanes

Through late August

• SB I-35 will periodically be reduced to two lanes near Hwy 8 in Forest Lake
  • Note:There will not be any lane closures on SB I-35 between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Upcoming

Lane closures

Early August through fall

• SB I-35 will be reduced to two lanes between Hwy 8 and Hwy 97
  • Note: Ramps at Hwy 97 and Broadway Ave. will remain open

Future

Spring 2019 through summer 2019

• Long-term I-35 lane closures will occur between the I-35W/I-35E split and Hwy 97
• I-35W and I-35E may be reduced to a single lane at times, just south of the split
• The NB I-35 ramps to and from Hwy 97 will close for approximately one month

Summer 2019 through fall 2019

• Long-term I-35 lane closures will continue between the I-35W/I-35E split and Hwy 97
• I-35W and I-35E may continue to be reduced to a single lane at times, just south of the split
• The SB I-35 ramps to and from Hwy 97 will close for approximately one month

About this project

Six miles of I-35 from just south of the I-35 split to a half mile north of Hwy 8 at the Chisago/Washington county line will be resurfaced. Road resurfacing helps to preserve and extend the use of the pavement. The work will also include replacing three bridges.

Summary of work

• Resurface existing pavement
• Replace the Hwy 97 bridge over I-35 with a diverging diamond interchange for better traffic flow and improved safety
• Update crosswalks at Hwy 97 to meet modern accessibility standards
• Replace the flyover ramp from WB Hwy 8 to SB I-35 with a loop ramp
• Drainage improvements

Schedule

Project staging

• Stage 1: Spring to Summer 2018 (PDF)
• Stage 2: Summer to Fall 2018 (PDF)
• Stage 3: Spring to Summer 2019 (PDF)
• Stage 4: Summer to Fall 2019 (PDF)

Fall 2017

• Site preparation, including adding temporary pavement and removing trees and bushes in the construction zone

2018

• Resurface I-35 from Hwy 97 to Hwy 8
• Construct the north half of new Hwy 97 bridge over I-35
• Embankment work and general site preparation for the new Hwy 8 bridge/ramp
• Construct the new I-35W bridge over I-35E (bridge will open to traffic in 2019)

2019

• Resurface I-35 from the I-35W/I-35E split to Hwy 97
• Resurface I-35W just south of the split
• Construct the new Hwy 8 ramp/bridge over I-35
• Resurface I-35E just south of the split
• Construct the south half of new Hwy 97 bridge over I-35 and reconstruct all ramps at the interchange

Do the Zipper Merge

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.