Overview
Status:
- Current construction
Location:
- Woodbury, Maplewood and Oakdale
Schedule:
- May 2009: Project began
- July 20, 2010: I-494 lanes, ramps and loops opened to traffic and Wakota Bridge eastbound lanes are open.
- September 2010: I-694 Lanes open to traffic
- Fall 2010: Project finished
Description:
- Pavement overlay and third lane addition on I-494
- Pavement overlay on I-694
- Noisewalls in several locations
Cost:
- $40 Million
Driving tip:
During heavy traffic or when there area backups: use both lanes in advance of the lane closure. This helps minimize backups, increases safety and helps reduce the potential for road rage.
During light traffic conditions if there are no backups motorists should merge well in advance of the lane closure. This can eliminate late merges at high speeds, which can create safety concerns
Quick Links
I-494
- Project Description
- Presentation
- I-494 Project Layout North Section
- I-494 Project Layout South Section
- Environmental Assessment (pdf 79 MB)
- I-494 Comments and Responses to Environmental Assessment (pdf 1 MB)
I-694
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e-mail updates |
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How will this project affect my drive?
Expect delays, lane restrictions and ramp closures.
Watch for stopped or slow traffic.
I-494 is substantially complete with two lanes open in each direction and all ramps open. There are cleanup items that remain and the project is expected to be totally completed by August 27.
I-694 is expected to be open to traffic in mid to late September with all lanes and ramps open. The project is expected to be totally completed around the end of October.
Check back frequently and/or sign up for e-mail updates for the latest information.
See Aug. 31 update from the project engineer
What's closed
- Southbound I-694 exit to Highway 5, expected to reopen September 4.
- Southbound I-694 entrance from Highway 5, expected to reopen in mid to late September.
- Southbound I-694 exit to 10th Street, expected to reopen in mid to late September
- Southbound I-694 entrance from 10th Street is scheduled to close on the morning of September 7 (or a day or two later) for a period of seven calendar days
What's open
- All northbound and southbound I-494 ramps at Tamarack Road, Valley Creek Road and Lake Road
- All northbound I-694 exits and entrances at 10th Street and Highway 5
- Southbound I-694 entrance from 10th Street
- All ramps at the interchange of I-94/I-494/I-694
Lane restrictions
- I-694 will remain reduced to a single lane in both directions between I-94 and 50th Street through mid-September.
What will this project provide?
- New concrete pavement on I-694 and I-494 in the eastern metro area
- A continuous three-lane road in each direction on I-494 from I-94 to west of the Wakota Bridge
Project details
Pavement
A 10” concrete overlay will be placed over the old roadway on On I-494 and I-694 from south of Lake Rd. in Woodbury/Maplewood to south of Hwy 36 in Oakdale. This method speeds construction and reduces project cost. The new concrete pavement section is expected to last 30-40 years. Under some bridges and near ramp terminals the pavement will be replaced. The pavement along I-494/694 in the I-94 interchange area will be overlaid with asphalt. Shoulders along I-494 and I-694 will also be repaved.
Third Lane Addition on I-494
Auxiliary lanes have been built on I-494 over the years between the interchanges at Lake Rd., Valley Creek Rd., Tamarack Rd. and I-94 providing three lanes in some areas and only two lanes in others. This project will connect the auxiliary lanes to construct a continuous three lane roadway in each direction along I-494 from I-94 to south of Lake Road across the Wakota bridge and to the west. South of Lake Road the lanes will connect to the existing three lanes that were built as part of the Wakota Project.
Other improvements
The southbound I-494 bridge over Century Avenue will be widened on the median side to accommodate the additional third lane. A noise wall will be constructed in the SE quadrant of the I-494/Lake Rd. interchange. Additional lighting will be provided along I-494 and I-694 between Valley Creek Rd. and 10th St. Median barriers will be provided to reduce the probability of cross median crashes. Guardrail, signing, drainage and other roadway items will be upgraded. Several new ponds will be constructed adjacent to I-494 and I-694.
Schedule details
Construction on I-494 and I-694 began in mid-April and will primarily involve the concrete overlay, the asphalt overlay, and pond and drainage improvements. On I-694, ramps and two lanes will be open in each direction in early September. Restoration, clean-up, and punch list items will be addressed through fall 2010.