If you’re planning on being in downtown Minneapolis Friday night – you might want to take the bus or light rail.
Drivers could face delays because of what WCCO describes as a “perfect storm of hellish traffic conditions,” as the start of major roadworks coincides with the end of some big downtown events.
The Minnesota Department of Transport is starting a significant resurfacing project on Interstate 394 between I-94 downtown and Highway 100 in St. Louis Park.
The work starts at 10 p.m. and will see all westbound traffic shifted into two High Occupancy Vehicle/reversible lanes,. Drivers going eastbound and westbound are being told to expect significant traffic delays during peak times.
To make matters worse, the work will get underway just as the Twins’ game against Detroit at Target Field – a stone’s throw from the downtown entrance onto I-394 – finishes.
And at around 10:30 p.m., Friday headliners Weezer are expected to be finishing up their set in front of the thousands attending the popular Basilica Block Party music festival on the edge of downtown.
The lane closures on westbound I-394 will continue for two weeks – meaning post-work commutes are likely to be delayed starting Monday.
It will also involve several ramp closures, including I-394W to Penn Avenue, Penn Avenue to I-394W, I-94E to I-394W, and a partial closure of I-94W to I-394W.
Lyndale Avenue over Dunwoody Boulevard and Hennepin Avenue will close starting Monday, through September.
Highway 100, where the I-394 work ends, is also undergoing a major reconstruction by MnDOT, which has been causing major delays for commuters, with work not due to finish until October.
