Why I-494 Will Be Completely Shut Down In Bloomington

BLOOMINGTON, MN — Both directions of Interstate 494 will be completely shut down between Highway 100 and Highway 77 this weekend, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced.

The closure begins at 10 p.m. Friday, May 30, and is expected to last through 5 a.m. Monday, June 2.

MnDOT will begin closing on- and off-ramps along this stretch of I-494 starting at 8 p.m. Friday, ahead of the full freeway closure.

What’s Happening

The closure allows crews to:

• Complete a new pedestrian bridge over I-494 near Chicago Avenue
• Demolish and remove the Portland Avenue bridge for replacement

Detour Routes

• Westbound I-494 drivers should use northbound Hwy. 77 to westbound Hwy. 62 to southbound Hwy. 100, then return to I-494.
• Eastbound I-494 drivers should use northbound Hwy. 100 to eastbound Hwy. 62 to southbound Hwy. 77, then return to I-494.

All work is weather-dependent and subject to change. Drivers should slow down and stay alert in work zones.

About This Project

This closure is part of a broader MnDOT project to improve I-494 between Highway 100 and I-35W, including:

• Adding E-ZPass lanes in both directions between Hwy. 100 and I-35W
• Building a new ramp at the I-35W/I-494 interchange
• Replacing bridges at Portland, Nicollet, and 12th Avenues
• Constructing a new pedestrian bridge at Chicago Avenue
• Removing I-494 access at Nicollet and 12th Avenues, while maintaining full access at Portland Avenue

When finished, the project will reduce congestion, modernize infrastructure, and improve pedestrian and bike access.

Project Highlights

• Add E-ZPass lanes in both directions between Highway. 100 and I-35W
• Reconfigure I-35W/I-494 interchange
• Reconstruct and repair pavement on I-494 and local roads
• Replace bridges at Nicollet Ave., Portland Ave., 12th Ave., and I-494 over I-35W
• Repair bridges at France Ave. and Penn Ave.
• Build a pedestrian bridge near Chicago Ave. over I-494
• Construct noise/retaining walls and update utilities
• Add sidewalks, bike paths, and transit station upgrades
• Improve lighting, signage, message boards, and intersections

This is the first of four construction phases in MnDOT’s long-term “I-494: Airport to Hwy. 169 Vision.