I-694 in Oakdale reopens to traffic after week of detours

A miles-long stretch of Interstate 694 near Oakdale that was closed for almost a week due to a water main break has once again opened to traffic, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The southbound lanes of the highway south of Hwy. 36 were reopened by 8 a.m. Saturday, according to a tweet from Kevin Gutknecht, communications director for MnDOT.

The northbound lanes between Hwy. 36 and I-94 were reopened by 8:30 a.m., he later tweeted.

MnDOT highway maps indicated normal driving conditions, and highway cameras showed a few cars and trucks on the road Saturday morning.

The segment had been closed for almost a week after a water main break Sunday spilled millions of gallons of water and washed out the ground under the highway.

While the roadway was not damaged, the erosion may have posed a danger to drivers, Gutknecht said.

The spill created stress for east metro drivers who were forced to take a massive detour and crews who worked around the clock to fix the break.

Repairing the leak meant removing the 53-year-old pipe that broke, installing a new one and patching and reinforcing the washed-out roadway.

Miguel Otárola • 612-673-4753