Weekend traffic: Expect major disruptions with I-35W closure and Sunday's marathon

Star Tribune photo: Richard Tsong-Taatarii

Like runners participating in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon, motorists also will be trying to record good travel times as they navigate race course closures and a shut down of Interstate 35W between Crosstown Hwy. 62 and downtown Minneapolis.

With the most direct route from the south metro into downtown closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, more than 300,000 people heading to the marathon, a Vikings game and a Twins game in downtown Minneapolis will be heading for alternate routes. The Gophers men's hockey team plays at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Remember lots of cross streets in south Minneapolis will be blocked for the race. Course marshals will allow vehicles to cross at Nicollet Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, but that's when there is a break between runners. There are additional street closures around the State Capitol where the 26.2-mile race and a 10-mile race finishes up. Here is a list of road closures and when they will reopen.

To avoid the hassle, south and west metro drivers heading downtown can try Hiawatha Avenue or Hwy. 100 to east I-394. From the east and southeast, Hwy. 61 to I-94 could be a viable alternate.

Other events on the weekend calendar include a Gophers football Saturday at the U and a Wild hockey game Saturday night at the X. The Twins are home Friday and Saturday nights, too.

In the east metro, look for changes in the work zone on I-94 between Century Avenue and downtown St. Paul.

Reminder to transit riders. Fares go up 25 cents starting Sunday. Off-peak rides will cost $2 and peak fares will rise to $2.50.

Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and St. Paul

1. I-94 from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center: Minor traffic impacts as the work is nearly done, but do look for a ramp closure at 11th Street and periodic lane closures between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy. 252.

2. I-94 from St. Paul to Maplewood: Look for lane closures in both directions between Mounds Boulevard and Century Avenue. The ramp from northbound Hwy. 52 to west I-94 will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Minneapolis

3. Cedar and Portland avenues: Closed between 28th and Lake streets for bridge construction.

4. 5th Avenue S.: The ramps to northbound I- 35W and eastbound I-94 are closed. Fifth Avenue is closed between Franklin Avenue and E.19th Street.

5. Franklin Avenue S: The bridge over I-35W is closed until spring 2018.

6. I-35W: Both directions closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday between Crosstown Hwy. 62 and I-94. Ramps will start closing at 9 p.m. Friday.

East Metro

7. Shepard Road in St. Paul: Closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday between Randolph Avenue and Eagle Parkway.

8. Hwy. 61 in Cottage Grove: The County Road 19/Innovation Road overpass is closed.

9. Hwy. 5 in St. Paul: Both directions at Payne Avenue reduced to two lanes. Payne Avenue is closed between E. 7th Street and Woodward Avenue.

10. Hwy. 149/Smith Avenue in St. Paul: The High Bridge is closed until December 2018.

11. Hwy. 51/Snelling Avenue in Falcon Heights: Lane restrictions between Energy Park Drive and Hwy. 36.

12. I-35E in St. Paul: Lane restrictions from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday between Hwy. 13 and I-94.

North Metro
13. Eastbound 694 in Shoreview: Restricted to two lanes in both directions between Hwy. 10 and Rice Street.

14. Hwy. 10 in Elk River: Intermittent lane closures between Waco Street and Joplin Street.

15. Hwy. 243 in Osceola, Wis.: The bridge is closed. Detour via Hwy. 8 through Taylors Falls.

West Metro
16. Hwy. 41 in Chaska: Closed between Hwy. 5 and Lyman Boulevard until Oct. 6

South Metro
17. 66th Street in Richfield: Closed to through traffic between Girard and Xerxes avenues S.
18. 86th Street in Bloomington: The overpass at I-35W is closed.
19. Hwy. 55 in Inver Grove Heights: Lane restrictions in the vicinity of Argenta Trail.
20. Hwy. 3 in Castle Rock: The highway is closed between W. 275 and 280th streets.
21. Hwy. 169 in Shakopee: One lane closed between Hwy. 41 and W. 145th Street from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

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