Two-Year I-394 Construction Project Begins in Minneapolis
A major two-year construction project has commenced on I-394 in Minneapolis, which is expected to cause significant traffic disruptions. The project includes bridge repairs and the addition of MnPASS lanes along the corridor. Officials are warning commuters to expect increased congestion and to plan for detours and delays, especially during peak hours.
- The project involves the repair of 34 bridges and ramps along the I-394 and I-94 corridors. The total cost of these safety improvements and infrastructure longevity efforts is an estimated $67 million. - A major component of the project is the demolition and rebuilding of the Penn Avenue bridge deck over I-394. This requires a full closure of the Penn Avenue bridge until the fall of 2026. - To facilitate the Penn Avenue bridge demolition, I-394 will be completely closed in both directions between Highway 100 and I-94 from 10 p.m. Friday, February 27, until 5 a.m. Monday, March 2. - During the first phase of construction lasting until mid-summer 2026, westbound I-394 traffic will be reduced to two lanes and shifted into the E-ZPass lanes. These lanes will function as regular traffic lanes, with no tolls or carpool restrictions in effect. - The I-394 MnPASS system, now part of E-ZPass, was the first high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane project in Minnesota when it opened in May 2005 to manage congestion. - This particular stretch of I-394 between downtown Minneapolis and Golden Valley accommodates over 120,000 vehicles daily. - Commuters in the west metro should be aware of other simultaneous construction projects that will compound traffic issues, including work on Highway 12 in Wayzata and Minnetonka and on I-494 in the south metro. - Numerous ramps will be closed until mid-summer, including the eastbound I-94 to westbound I-394 ramp, the Lyndale Avenue to westbound I-394 ramp, and the westbound I-394 to Park Place Blvd./Xenia Ave. ramp.
