The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that travelers should prepare to slow down for construction work zones as road projects begin to ramp up across the state. The agency has nearly 180 road construction projects this season that will help maintain and improve Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure, improve safety and mobility, and support jobs that will be worked on statewide.
The 2025 construction season includes nearly 180 planned road and bridge projects, plus 51 projects that will improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings, and transit infrastructure.
“With construction projects beginning in the coming weeks statewide, drivers should use caution as they see more work zones, more lane closures and orange cones – and most importantly, more workers wearing their high visibility safety gear along the highway,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “We’re all safer when we pay close attention, slow down, remain patient, and work together to safely share the limited space in a work zone.”
More information about safe driving around construction work zones can be found on our MnDOT Work Zone Safety website.
Significant projects this year include:
· In the Twin Cities metro area, repairing five bridges along I-94 in Minneapolis, including the Mississippi River bridge, will require a full closure of eastbound I-94 between 11th Ave. S. and Franklin Ave. S.E. this weekend – 10 p.m. Friday, April 4 through 5 a.m. Monday, April 7. Other projects include resurfacing Interstate 35W in Burnsville and repairing or replacing bridges at three locations; replacing or repairing bridges on I-494 between Edina and Richfield and over the Minnesota River, reconstructing Highway 5/East 7th Street and Highway 61/Arcade Street in St. Paul and Maplewood; repairing 34 bridges and ramps along I-394 and I-94 in Minneapolis; repairing 11 bridges including the John Ireland Boulevard bridge along I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul; and adding a third lane in each direction on Highway 10 in Coon Rapids.
· Completing the three-year I-35 Hinckley Bridge Replacement project. In 2025, crews will replace southbound I-35W bridges spanning the Grindstone River and a railroad.
· On Highway 12 from Litchfield to Cokato crews will complete the two-year concrete repair, culvert and accessibility improvements project
· In northern Minnesota, crews are reconstructing Highway 371 through Hackensack to three-lanes. The project will add a center-turn lane, additional sidewalks and parallel parking on both sides of the road and install a roundabout at the Highway 371/Cass County Road 5 intersection.
· Expanding Highway 10 through Wadena to four lanes, plus resurfacing Highways 29 and 71 and other infrastructure improvements, begins in 2025.
· The 11th Street underpass in Moorhead as the project enters the second of three years of construction. The project also includes constructing two underpasses under BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalk improvements, utility replacements and other improvements.
· Resurfacing eastbound I-94 from Rothsay to Fergus Falls.
· From Mankato to St. Peter, work on Highway 22 will begin to replace and repair bridges, install a new roundabout at the Le Sueur County Road 21/Highway 22 intersection and improve lighting at intersections.
· Reconstructing Highway 19 in Marshall begins its first year of construction.
***For projects in northwest Minnesota click on the following link – Northwest Minnesota – 2025 Construction Season – MnDOT
Safety in work zones
Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:
- Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
- Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
- Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
- Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
- Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
- Do the zipper merge.
- Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
- Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.
2025 Minnesota road construction planning and travel tools
Travelers can use several online tools to plan ahead for construction impacts like detours and lane closures.
· Visit mndot.gov/construction for the statewide view of the 2025 construction season’s projects. The site includes interactive maps linking to more detailed construction project websites, full project lists and other information.
o Individual project pages include information about construction schedules, detours and traffic impacts, maps, benefits and project costs.
· Know before you go – visit 511mn.org or use the 511 app to get near-real-time travel information.
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