Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

I-94 and I-35E

St. Paul

Traffic impacts

I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul Project locations map

I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul project location map.

Click map for larger version.

All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.

Current

Lane closures

Mon, May 16 though early July
  • NB I-35E is reduced to a single lane from St. Clair Ave. to University Ave.
Mon, April 18 through mid-June
  • Watch for lane closures on I-94 in both directions between Marion St. and I-35E

Bridge closures

Mon, May 9 through Thu, May 19
  • The Marion St. bridge over I-94 is closed between St. Anthony Ave. and Concordia Ave. This work is part of the ADA project along I-94.
    • Detour: University Ave., Dale St., Concordia Ave.
Mon, April 25 through late May
  • The Robert St. bridge over I-94&I-35E is closed
    • Detour: Jackson St., 12th St. and Cedar St.

Ramp closures

9 p.m. on Mon, May 16 through early July
  • The following ramps are closed:
    • EB I-94 to East 7th St.
      • Detour:EB I-94, White Bear Ave (Exit 245), WB I-94, Mounds Blvd (Exit 243) to East 7th St.
    • NB I-35E to EB I-94 slip ramp
      • Note: Traffic will stay on NB I-35E to reach the I-35E/I-94 commons
    • Jackson St. to NB I-35E
      • Detour: Jackson St., Pennsylvania Ave, Phalen Blvd, Cayuga St.
    • Jackson St. to EB I-94
      • Detour: Jackson St, University Ave, Lafayette Rd, E. 7th St, Mounds Blvd
Through early June
  • The following ramps are closed:
    • WB I-94 to Marion St.
    • SB I-35E to WB I-94
      • Note: Traffic will stay on I-35E until the commons area then merge onto WB I-94
    • University Ave. to WB I-94/SB I-35E
    • WB I-94 to 12th St.
      • Note: Hospital traffic will follow a signed detour to Dale St.
    • 12th St. to WB I-94
      • Note: Traffic will follow a detour to Marion St.
    • 12th St. to SB I-35 and WB I-94

Upcoming

Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available.

Traffic delays expected

Travel will be significantly delayed during construction:

  • Plan an alternate route.
  • Avoid peak travel times.
  • Allow for additional time if your trip requires you to travel on I-94 or I-35E in downtown St. Paul.
  • Bookmark this site and sign up to receive email updates on new traffic impacts.

About this project

A two-year project to repair and resurface I-94 between Western Ave. and Mounds Blvd. and I-35E between I-94 north and University Ave. began in the summer of 2021. MnDOT also will work on the following ramp bridges:

  • East 12th St. to WB I-94 (over WB I-94)
  • East 12th St. to SB I-35E (over WB I-94)
  • EB I-94 to E 6th St.

In addition, we will resurface the Robert St. bridge over I-35E.

The project will address water seepage issues along the westbound side of I-94 through the project area, build new storm water drainage ponds and replace railing on some bridges. Freeway lighting and signs will be replaced if needed.

Construction will progress from west to east and be split into three stages, each with two sub-stages for work on inner and outer lanes. Construction will reduce capacity to two lanes in each direction and require long-term closures of ramps into and out of downtown St. Paul. The construction schedule is subject to change.

  • Completed: Stage 1 – Western Ave. to Marion St.: Mid-summer through fall 2021
  • Stage 2 – Marion St. to I-35E and I-35E between I-94 and University Ave.: Spring through mid-summer 2022
  • Stage 3 – I-35E to Mounds Blvd.: Mid-summer through fall 2022

Summary of work

  • Repair and resurface I-94 and I-35E
  • Resurface ramps and frontage roads along I-94
  • Repair drainage and upgrade storm sewers
  • Other bridge rehabilitation work
  • Repair sidewalks and upgrade pedestrian sidewalks and approaches to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards