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MnDOT Announces 2012 State Road Construction Program

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- In the Twin Cities, drivers will feel the impact from four major road projects this summer. It's starting with the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will also resurface 35E between St. Paul and Forest Lake and complete the Highway 169 and 494 interchange.

Then four times this summer, sections of Interstate 94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul will be closed on the weekend for resurfacing.

The project that is going to create the pain for the most people will be Interstate 94. Parts of the  interstate will be shut down for four weekends this spring and summer. The first closure will be next weekend from east bound 394 to Highway 55 and Hiawatha Avenue.

In addition, there will be ramp closures throughout the summer. Any interruptions on I-94 are especially tough because University Avenue is still under construction for light rail.

Donovan Van Horne told us it will be especially tough for motorcycle drivers.

"It's a pain in the butt, it's terrible the roads are all torn up and people don't know how to drive," Van Horne said.

At a morning news conference a MnDot Spokesman pulled no punches.

"It's going to be a tough season ahead for travelers in the metro area," Said Tom O'Keefe.

But the pain won't be as great as two summers ago, when both the multi-year Highway 62 project and work on Interstate 94 went on all summer.

However if you live by one of the big projects, like Interstate 494 and Highway 169, you will face delays.

"It's a pain definitely, but that is what you can expect with road construction this time of year," said Chad Paulsen, who works in the area.

But some like Julie Johnson have figured out the ultimate detour.

"I just ride my bike to work," she said.

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All the projects for the Twin Cities metro area are listed below:

• Continuing work on the Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul
• Resurfacing I-35E between St. Paul and Forest Lake
• Continuing work on the Hwy. 169 and I-494 interchange.

Projects in Greater Minnesota include:

• Constructing an interchange on Highway 14 in North Mankato
• Resurfacing portions of Hwy. 10 between Clear Lake and Big Lake
• Resurfacing 28 miles of Hwy. 71 in Koochiching County

Drivers are urged to check 511 for up-to-date information about traffic and road conditions during the summer construction.

"People are going to see a lot of orange cones, a lot of barrels out there. And it's going to be very similar to what they've seen in recent years," said Sorel.

For a complete list of projects, including construction dates and traffic impacts, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/construction.

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