Weekend closure of I-94 planned in Twin Cities

Good news for drivers who travel Interstate 94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul: All lanes will be back open next week, after months of construction. But ahead of that — there’s a weekend closure.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation said eastbound I-94 will be closed this weekend — from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday — from Interstate 35W to Highway 280.

A longer stretch of the westbound lanes of I-94 will be closed, from I-35E to I-35W.

Traffic will be detoured to Highway 36. Expect traffic delays — especially with the Vikings, Lynx and Twins all playing home games in Minneapolis on Saturday.

I-94 has been down to just two lanes in each direction near the Mississippi River since last spring, as part of a bridge repair project.

MnDOT said a primary reason for this weekend’s closure is to allow crews to restore the permanent pavement markings, so all lanes can reopen Monday. The agency says it’s reopening the lanes to accommodate heavier traffic during the Minnesota State Fair, which starts next Thursday.

The reprieve will only be temporary. Once the State Fair ends, lane closures along that stretch of I-94 are set to resume in September.