MnDOT Announces 290 Road Construction Projects

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- If winter is over, that means it must be road construction season. The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to spend $1 billion this season upgrading, replacing and expanding highways and bridges.

State officials released a list of 290 construction projects, including a number of metro-area efforts. The planned roadwork will close lanes and cause significant traffic delays.

One of the projects on the list is Interstate 35E near Maryland Avenue in St. Paul. MnDOT is replacing an interchange on the stretch, building a frontage road and replacing bridges.

MnDOT commissioner Charlie Zelle said many of the planned projects this season include replacing worn out highways.

Zelle added the construction is disruptive and dangerous, but needed.

Along 494 in the metro, MnDOT will also resurface roads and replace bridges.

On Highway 55 in Plymouth from the southbound I-494 exit ramp to Plymouth Road, crews will construct an additional driving lane, turning lanes and new signals.

This season's projects also include road and/or bridge work along some stretches of I-35W and I-94.

To determine the projects that will get money for upgrades, MNDOT considers a number of factors, including the current state of the infrastructure, traffic volume, the history of roadwork in that particular area and the cost.