Major ramp along I-35W closes for 2 years

Updated: December 06, 2019 07:13 PM

There's bad news for drivers as the Minnesota Department of Transportation closes another major ramp along Interstate 35W near downtown Minneapolis on Friday.

Earlier Friday morning, crews closed the ramp from I-35W northbound to Lake Street/31st Street. This is the main ramp people use for Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

MnDOT told KSTP Traffic Reporter Josie Smith the closure is needed in order to rebuild the northbound I-35W bridge over 31st Street. The ramp will remain closed for the next two years.

Crews are also preparing to replace the northbound lanes along I-35W from 46th Street to downtown. For the time being, drivers can follow the detour to the 35th/36th Street ramp. The work is all part of the larger Downtown to the Crosstown project that continues until the fall of 2021.

A couple of other notes here: 31st Street is closing at I-35W Friday morning until 10 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, I-35W northbound will be reduced to one lane near 42nd Street starting at 10 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday.