First weekend closure of the season: I-94 shuts down in St. Paul for road work
[KSTP]
You might be surprised to hear that Interstate 94 in St. Paul is closing this weekend. During the Governor’s stay at home order, Minnesota’s construction season will stay open.
With less traffic on the roadways, Ramsey County Project Manager and Construction Engineer Luke Lortie said that’s actually making it safer for road crews.
"With the lower volumes that we’re seeing out there with the traffic, it’s much safer for the workers and for the motorists traveling through the projects, we don’t see that congestion," Lortie said.
Starting Friday night at 10 p.m, all lanes along I-94 between Highway 280 and I-35E in St. Paul will close until 5 a.m. Monday.
Drivers will be detoured north to Highway 36.
Crews will be demolishing a portion of the Dale Street Bridge over I-94. Lortie said the work is part of the larger Dale Street reconstruction project.
"Most notable with the work, especially out here on Dale Street, is the expansion of the bridge. So we’re looking at adding dedicated left-turn lanes for both northbound and southbound traffic, as well as dual 16 foot protected pedestrian ways, so you’ll see a lot wider pedestrian sidewalks out here on the bridge," says Lortie.