In a rare move, MnDOT allows shutdown of Hwy 100 during Labor Day holiday weekend

It’s probably not the surprise drivers were hoping for this weekend with news that Highway 100 is closing.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is making a rare move to allow crews to shut down a major highway during a holiday weekend.

KSTP’s Labor Day guide

Here’s why: A freight rail bridge south of Highway 7 needs to be moved and repositioned as part of the Southwest Light Rail Transit project.

Officials told KSTP Traffic Reporter Josie Smith there won’t be any freight rail traffic during the holiday weekend, providing them with this opportunity to get the job done.

Southwest LRT will begin operating in 2023 serving downtown Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie.

Meanwhile, both directions of Highway 100 will close between Highway 7 and Highway 62 starting at 7 a.m. Saturday until 5 a.m. Tuesday.

An added complication: Highway 100 is the detour for the long-term ramp closure along I-35W north to I-94 west. The detour sends drivers over to Highway 169, I-394 and Highway 62.