It's not a lot, but some lanes on Washington Avenue downtown reopen

Photo: Hennepin County

In a summer when it seems like all the news concerning roads in downtown Minneapolis is about which street is closing next, here's some that drivers will gladly take, even it it is small.

This week the eastbound lanes of Washington Avenue between 2nd and 3rd avenues S. reopened, said Colin Cox of the Hennepin County Public Works Department. But there is a catch. It's not permanent as there is still work to be done and the lanes could close at times without much warning.

The idea, Cox said, is to have it open during rush hours to allow motorists to make a connection with 3rd Avenue S., a major thoroughfare that connects downtown with Northeast.

"It's kind of a small reward," Cox said.

Again, he stressed that there will be temporary closures so eastbound Washington Avenue drivers need to watch the signs that will announce closures and lane restrictions. Motorists on 3rd Avenue could experience lane restrictions at Washington at times. So could drivers crossing Washington at 4th and 5th avenues S.

Through traffic on Washington, however, should still follow the posted detour via 2nd Avenue S., S. 4th Street and 5th Avenue S. until the project is completed this fall.

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