MnDOT plans 235 construction projects for 2022

State transportation officials are planning to work on more than 230 construction projects this year.

Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced its 2022 construction plans, featuring 184 road and bridge projects as well as 51 projects to improve airports, water ports and transit infrastructure.

The department noted its 2022 program wasn’t really changed by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as Minnesota lawmakers have to first approve budget authority before MnDOT can spend those funds.

As construction season nears, MnDOT is urging drivers to be attentive, plan ahead, give workers room to safely work and be patient.

“Minnesotans will soon see work zones popping up throughout the state,” MnDOT Interim Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said in a statement. “Each of these projects represents an investment in a more efficient and reliable transportation system for all people. As always, safety is MnDOT’s top priority – so we urge motorists to pay attention to signage in work zones, slow down, and put away distractions behind the wheel. Everyone, including our hardworking road and construction workers, deserves to get home safely.”

Below are some of the significant projects the department will be working on this year. CLICK HERE to see a comprehensive list of the state’s construction projects, along with their cost and timeframe.

• Highway 10 reconstruction in Anoka — The two-year project, which includes replacing and repairing bridges, began earlier this week. It’s scheduled to completely finished in the spring of 2024.
• I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul — The two-year project is scheduled to wrap up in October after work to resurface, repair ramps and frontage roads, improve drainage and pedestrian sidewalks, and fix bridges.
• Highway 77 between Bloomington and Minneapolis — The resurfacing project is scheduled to start in June and be finished in November.
• Highway 169 in Elk River — The three-year reconstruction project, which includes four new interchanges, is set to start in April and finish in November 2024.
• Twins Ports Interchange in Duluth — The project, which started in October 2020, is set to continue this year, with work to eliminate blind merges and left exits while replacing old infrastructure. The project is set to be completed in November 2023.
• Highway 23 from Foley to Milaca — Set to start in May, the project includes resurfacing, adding a roundabout, replacing and repairing drainage, and improving intersections over the 12.5-mile stretch of the Highway. Construction is scheduled to be done by the end of November.
• Highway 52 between Zumbrota and Cannon Falls — Work on this project includes reconstruction of the southbound lanes, adding an interchange at Highway 57 and 52, as well as completing a Goodhue County Road 14 connection. The second year of work is set to resume in May; it’s scheduled to be completely finished in November 2023.
• Highway 14 between New Ulm and Nicollet — This project is scheduled to be completely done in November 2023, and will expand the 12.5-mile stretch of the highway to four lanes.
• Highway 29 near Glenwood — Construction in the second and final year of the project will start on April 11. Work includes building an overpass bridge, add a roundabout at Highway 29 and 160th Street, and switch traffic alignment on Highway 55. Completion is set for October.
• Highway 212 in Glencoe — This project will create two reduced conflict intersections, install a permanent snow fence and work to improve pedestrian access and safety. Work on this project is set to run from May through July.
• Highway 71 near Bemidji — This project’s goal is to resurface and improve safety while adding eight redesigned intersections. Work is set to start in May and be done in October.