Expect New Lane Closures This Week On I-35 In Minnesota

It's that time of year when the start of a new week usually means a new round of road work, road closures, and detours is also sure to ramp up.

That is certainly the case this week on I-35 in northern Minnesota, where motorists can expect traffic impacts of varying degrees due to two separate projects taking place.

One year-long project will be adding lane closures for Monday, while another shorter project will be closing lanes all week.

Lane Closures At The Twin Ports Interchange Project

MnDOT announced it is closing single lanes on I-35 on Monday, June 10, in the Twin Ports Interchange project area. Here is where traffic will be impacted on Monday:

• Mobile lane closures will occur on northbound I-35 from 27th Avenue West to Garfield Avenue between 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Mobile lane closures will occur on southbound I-35 from Garfield Avenue to 27th Avenue West between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Get our free mobile app

MnDOT has noted previously that work on the $435 million Twin Ports Interchange project will continue year-round to reconstruct the I-35/I-535/Hwy 53 interchange.

The project looks to improve safety by:

• Providing a new conventional design
• Relocating all exits and entrances to the right side of the roadway
• Improving merging sight distance and eliminating merge conflicts
• Eliminating weaving problems near the interchange
• Providing lane continuity for through I-35 traffic

They anticipate that construction will be completed around the summer of 2026 when landscaping and clean-up are expected to begin.

RELATED: WARNING: Expect Delays On I-35 South Of Duluth Through Summer

The video below shows what the freeway will look like when completed from a motorist’s view heading north on I-35 through the Twin Ports Interchange area, then heading to southbound I-35 from I-535, or the Blatnik Bridge, through the Twin Ports Interchange area.

I-35 Pavement Work Between Willow River And Sturgeon Lake

Northern Minnesota motorists will also face traffic impacts on another section of I-35 on Monday, which will continue all week.

MnDOT is starting a pavement preservation project on I-35 between approximately Willow River and Sturgeon Lake from Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 14. Motorists can expect daytime lane closures where work occurs on both southbound and northbound I-35.

This work is a microsurfacing project designed to extend the life of bituminous pavement. Temporary striping will be installed when work occurs, and permanent striping will be placed in approximately three weeks.

READ NOW: Are These Really The 10 Snobbiest Cities In Minnesota?

Motorists in the impacted area should remember all construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule-permitting and subject to change. All motorists are also urged to be attentive, drive cautiously, and slow down in work zones where workers are present.