Highway Construction Shuts Down Part Of 35W This Weekend

This weekend, there will be a significant road change as a result of the overall Interstate Hwy. 35W construction project going on in South Minneapolis. For the whole weekend , motorists will not be able to get through the eastern junction where I-35W and Hwy. 62 intersect. The overall intent of the project is to cut down on the congestion through town and make the road safer for pedestrians. This weekends shut down is due to the demolition of a bridge and reconfiguration of the bypass around the construction zone.

The Minneapolis Tribune reports:

All southbound lanes of Interstate Hwy. 35W between Interstate Hwy. 94 and Hwy. 62 will be closed. The ramp from eastbound Hwy. 62 to northbound Interstate Hwy. 35W leading to downtown Minneapolis also will be closed.

All lanes of westbound Hwy. 62 from the eastern junction with Interstate Hwy. 35 to Hwy. 121/Lyndale Avenue also will be shut down from 10 p.m. today until 5 a.m. Monday.

Eastbound Hwy. 62 will remain open and motorists will be able to access northbound I-35W from westbound Hwy. 62, MnDOT said.

During the closure, motorists will be detoured via the following routes:

Motorists heading southbound on I-35W: Use I-394 West to Hwy. 100, south on Hwy. 100 to Hwy. 62, then east to I-35W.

Motorists heading northbound on I-35W: Follow Hwy. 62 west to Hwy. 100, then north to I-394, and east to downtown Minneapolis.

Motorists heading westbound on Hwy. 62: Follow Hwy. 62 west to Cedar Avenue, then south to I-494, west to I-35W, north to Hwy. 62.

One of the questions is how best to get downtown from the south. The Tribune comments seem to be in favor of parking at the Mall Of America and taking the light rail.

As with any construction project, this one will involve MnDOT workers being out in the roads. During this time, driving will require patience and slow downs.

Also keep in mind that work zones come with double fines.

With all construction projects it is important to keep in mind these safety tips :

All fines are doubled in work zones and those are real people standing out there in the orange vests. So most of all SLOW DOWN.

• Stay alert, expect the unexpected.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts – merge when directed to do so.
• Don’t change lanes unnecessarily.
• Don’t speed in work zones; obey the posted speed limits.
• Avoid using mobile phones while driving in work zones.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Be patient!