I-35 Traffic Jam Continues Friday Evening

A traffic backup several miles long continue to delay drivers on northbound Interstate 35 through Lakeville Friday evening.

Images from I-35 traffic cameras posted on the Minnesota Department of Transportation website shortly after 7 p.m. Friday showed backups on the interstate between 210th Street and County Road 50, a distance of more than three miles.

The traffic jam was even longer during the afternoon rush hour, reaching as south as the Elko/New Market interchange around 5 p.m.

Here is a statement about the backups released by MnDOT at 1:30 p.m. Friday:

Traffic backups are estimated to be about six miles and increasing on northbound Interstate 35 north of Lakeville this afternoon. The northbound lanes of the interstate are currently restricted to a single lane of traffic between County Road 50 and the I-35E/I-35W split in Burnsville during a concrete repair project this weekend.
Single lane traffic will be lifted by 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12.
Motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid congestion and long delays throughout the weekend. For travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit www.511mn.org or dial 511.

MnDOT released the follow statement about this weekend’s construction-related traffic on I-35/35W/35A on Tuesday:

INTERSTATE 35

Beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 9, northbound I-35 will be reduced to a single lane between County Road 50 and the I-35/35W/35E Split as crews repair concrete.

In addition, the ramps to and from northbound I-35 at County Road 46 will close at 10 a.m.

All lanes and ramps are scheduled to re-open by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12

Just a reminder: The long-term, head-to-head traffic switch is tentatively scheduled to begin on or around Aug. 26.

INTERSTATE 35W

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9 crews will close southbound I-35W, between Highway 13 and the I-35/35W/35E Split, as crews paint several bridges that span the roadway. Motorists should follow the signed detour using I-494 and southbound I-35E bypassing the closure.

All lanes are scheduled to re-open by 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

Next weekend northbound will close between the I-35/35W/35E Split and Hwy 13 and the I-35/35W/35E Split in order for crews to complete the bridge painting.

INTERSTATE 35E

You will still encounter temporary lane closures on both directions of I-35E between Diffley Road and the I-35/35W/35E Split as crews continue to remove the crossovers and barrier and restripe the roadway and bridge decks.

The McAndrews Road Bridge has re-opened to vehicles. However, pedestrians will still need to follow the signed detour using County Road 11, Evergreen Drive and Portland Avenue so crews can continue to install the railing and fence.

All dates are subject to change due to project readiness and weather.

For more information, visit the project website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35eelkotoeagan/index.html

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