Urgent I-94 Closures in St. Paul This Weekend for Bridge Work

URGENT UPDATE: Major disruptions are set to impact traffic in St. Paul this weekend as the John Ireland Boulevard bridge undergoes critical reconstruction. Starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, October 24, both westbound and eastbound lanes of I-94 will close, creating significant delays through 5 a.m. on Monday, October 27.

Residents and commuters should prepare for detours and closures in the area. The Marion Street ramp will close at 8 p.m. on Friday, impacting access to both eastbound and westbound I-94. Additionally, the Fifth Street ramp leading from downtown St. Paul will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday.

Detour routes have been established for affected traffic:
– Vehicles heading west on I-94 will be rerouted to northbound I-35E, then to westbound Minnesota Highway 36 and finally to southbound Minnesota Highway 280.
– For eastbound traffic on I-94, the detour will direct drivers to northbound Highway 280, then eastbound Highway 36 before returning to southbound I-35E.

This bridge project aims to enhance pedestrian safety, including updated sidewalks and biking paths, and is part of a larger initiative by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to modernize infrastructure in the region.

Further disruptions include the ongoing closure of the 10th Street ramp from eastbound I-94 into downtown St. Paul, which will remain closed through Tuesday, October 28. Traffic will be redirected to the Kellogg Boulevard exit on I-94.

For continuous updates on the project, visit the official site at dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/johnirelandbridge. With this weekend’s closures, motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time, as traffic congestion is expected to peak during typical rush hours.

Stay informed on this developing situation as it unfolds, and share this urgent news with others who may be affected.