The trail on the I-35E bridge over the Mississippi River is closed through fall 2026. Trail users will detour over the High Bridge on Smith Ave. South. Learn more about the detour in the traffic impacts section below.
This webpage is not updated over the weekend/overnight. For up-to-date information on traffic impacts, visit 511mn.org.
Traffic impacts
I-35E in St. Paul and Lilydale project area map
All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent. Residents and businesses near the project area may experience increased noise and vibration levels throughout construction. Crews will attempt to keep these impacts to a minimum. People near the bridge may hear construction noise.
Current
Road closures
7 a.m. Mon, April 13 through fall
- Westbound Shepard Rd. is closed between Otto Ave. and Lexington Pkwy.
- Eastbound Shepard Rd. is closed between the temporary bypass embankment and the northbound I-35E ramp
- Detour: Lexington Pkwy, West 7th St. and Otto Ave.
Lane closures
Tue, July 7 through late August
- Southbound I-35E is reduced to one lane from West 7th St. to the Shepard Rd. ramp
- Two lanes of northbound traffic and one lane of southbound traffic from West 7th St. to the Shepard Rd. ramp on I-35E are currently maintained on the temporary embankment.
Ramp closures
Tue, July 7 through fall
- The ramp from West 7th St. to southbound I-35E is closed
Trail closures
Thu, July 9 through fall
- Trail on the I-35E bridge over the Mississippi River is closed
- Detour: Smith Ave. South across the High Bridge (PNG)
- The Sam Morgan Regional Trail and tunnel under I-35E near Shepard Rd. will remain open
Upcoming
Information about upcoming traffic impacts will be posted as details become available. Motorists can expect ramp closures on I-35E and lane closures during construction. Northbound I-35E to Shepard Rd. ramp and Sam Morgan Regional Trail will remain open.
I-35E/Shepard Rd. construction video and camera
Watch the reconstruction of the I-35E bridge spanning Shepard Rd. southwest of downtown St. Paul. This camera takes a photo every 15 minutes and past photos are available on the website.
View recent drone footage of the I-35E bridge and Shepard Rd. construction area below. The video provides an updated look at progress on the temporary embankment and surrounding work zone.
About this project
We are replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. near downtown St. Paul, which is near the end of its service life. Replacing the bridge will save money that is being spent on repairs and other maintenance in addition to providing a new, modern structure that will provide safe transportation for motorists for many years.
We built a temporary embankment alongside the existing I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. to create a bypass to reroute all lanes of I-35E traffic. This will help minimize impacts on the interstate during construction. Two lanes of northbound I-35E traffic and one lane of southbound I-35E traffic have shifted for the old bridge to be demolished. Bike and pedestrian trail access along Shepard Rd. will be detoured slightly through an existing nearby tunnel under I-35E.
Once the new bridge is complete, traffic will return to the bridge and the temporary embankment will be removed, reopening Shepard Rd. The I-35E bridge work over Shepard Rd. is scheduled to be complete in fall 2026, weather permitting.
Additional concrete repairs will be made on the I-35E Mississippi River bridge in summer and fall 2026 to provide a smoother driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.
Summary of work
2026
- Build temporary embankment to bypass I-35E traffic
- Replace I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd.
- Repair concrete pavement on I-35E from West 7th St. through the Mississippi River bridge
- Repair pavement on Shepard Rd. underneath I-35E bridge following the removal of the temporary embankment
2027
- Removal of crossovers