While skateboarders and BMX riders perform stunts and tricks at this weekend's X Games in downtown Minneapolis, drivers will have to exhibit agility of their own with the closure of portions of two of the most-used highways in the south metro.
The decaying Crosstown will get a much-needed repaving between I-35W and Hwy. 5, but the work comes with an ominous warning from the Minnesota Department of Transportation: city streets in southwest Minneapolis will be the only way to access to homes and businesses west of Hiawatha Avenue.
At the same time, Interstate 494 in Bloomington will be shut down from Hwy. 100 to Hwy. 212, meaning east-west drivers will have to hopschoch their way across town.
Dealing with downtown traffic might raise your adrenaline, too, as thousands pour in to watch the X Games at US Bank Stadium, Saturday's Aquatennial fireworks and a Luke Bryan concert at Target Field. Portions of 4th Street and Chicago Avenue are closed.
Look for crowds around Highland Fest, the Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest and Rondo Days celebrations in St. Paul.
Here is your road construction roundup:
Minneapolis
1. Interstate 35W: Reduced to two southbound lanes from downtown to 43rd Street. Northbound is two lanes plus a MnPASS lane up to 31st Street, then third general traffic lane open to 3rd Street. MnPASS northbound open to 31st Street. This set up will be in place until late 2019. Ramps from northbound I-35W to 11th Street and 5th Avenue and to from 12th Street/4th Avenue to southbound closed.
2. Interstate 94: Westbound reduced to two lanes from Chicago Avenue to Nicollet Avenue until fall.
