I-94 closes in Minneapolis this weekend, along with the historic 3rd Avenue Bridge

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is kicking off a series of weekend closures along Interstate 94 in Minneapolis.

This weekend, the eastbound lanes are shutting down between I-35W and Highway 280. Next weekend, the westbound lanes will close, and the weekend of Aug. 14-17, both directions of I-94 will close. MnDOT’s Dave Aeikens said the work is part of a larger resurfacing project that’s been underway for several years.

"Once we finish this project we will have resurfaced I-94 from Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center to Western Avenue in St. Paul in the last three years," Aeikens said.

The road closes at 10 p.m. Friday, with ramps closing by 8 p.m. Lanes will be open by 4 a.m. Monday. Drivers can follow the detour to I-35W, Highway 36, and I-35E.

The Third Avenue/Highway 65 Bridge in Minneapolis is closing this weekend, too. The historic bridge connects northeast to downtown.

The closure starts at 8 p.m. Friday and ends by 5 a.m. Monday. The 102-year-old bridge is in the process of getting significant repairs and will close for nearly two years starting in January. This weekend, drivers can use the Hennepin Avenue Bridge instead.

Meanwhile, if you’re traveling in the northwest metro, a new traffic configuration is in place along I-94. New this morning, crews moved the eastbound lanes of I-94 in Albertville to the westbound lanes. You’ll notice the change near County Road 19. The ramp from I-94 eastbound to County Road 37 is closed as well. The new traffic pattern will stay in place until November.