Yesterday (Aug. 26) the new entrance ramp at CSAH 19 to eastbound I-94 opened – another box checked in the three-year process of road construction between Maple Grove and Clearwater. But, those who travel I-94, especially at night, will be in for what is expected to be significant delays in the overnight hours of late-Monday/early Tuesday (Aug. 30-31) and late-Tuesday/early-Wednesday (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) at the exit of Hwy. 241 in both directions. Traffic will not only be reduced to one lane, but will be diverted up the exit ramp at Hwy 241 and back down the entrance ramp back to I-94 as bridge work is completed over those two days. In addition, the eastbound entrance ramp at CSAH 37 to I-94 will close Monday, Aug. 30 and is expected to remain closed until Nov. 1.
Here are the highlighted changes that will be coming, according to a release from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
- Wright County Road 37 ramp to eastbound I-94 closes: The ramp will close from County Road 37 to eastbound I-94 in Albertville Monday morning, Aug. 30. Motorists should follow the signed detour from County Road 37 to County Road 19 to eastbound I-94. The ramp will be closed until Nov. 1.
- Overnight closures on I-94 at Highway 241 interchange: Crews will deliver and set bridge beams at the Highway 241 bridge over I-94. The night work will require lane closures and short traffic stops as follows:
- Monday evening, Aug. 30 through Tuesday morning, Aug. 31: From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., both directions of I-94 will be reduced to a single lane before Highway 241 exit ramps. From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., traffic from both directions will be routed off I-94 at the Highway 241 exit ramp and continue onto the Highway 241 entrance ramp back onto I-94. State Patrol will be present and periodically stop traffic at the Highway 241 ramp intersections.
- Tuesday evening, Aug. 31 through Wednesday morning, Sept. 1: From 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., westbound I-94 will be reduced to a single lane leading up to the Highway 241 exit ramp. State Patrol will be present and periodically stop traffic at the Highway 241 ramp intersection from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
For more information about the I-94 Maple Grove to Clearwater construction project, including detour maps, visit www.mndot.gov/i94-mg-clearwater.
For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org or dial 5-1-1.