I-35 Will See Lane Closures, Traffic Shifts In Washington County

FOREST LAKE, MN — Beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, motorists traveling on Interstate 35 between Highway 97 and Highway 8 in Columbus and Forest Lake will encounter lane closures and traffic shifts in both directions as crews prepare the road for resurfacing work, weather permitting.

For approximately one week, there will be periodic closures and shifts in both directions of I-35. There will be no lane closures on southbound I-35 between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., and on northbound I-35 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

After these preparation activities, starting at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11, the long-term lane closure on northbound I-35 will be in place. Northbound I-35 will be restricted to two lanes for approximately four months as crews resurface the northbound lanes. Southbound I-35 will continue to have three travel lanes.

All ramps in the area will remain open; however, Highway 8 ramp will close in May. Traffic will be switched again in early August to allow crews to resurface the southbound lanes.

Traffic delays and backups are expected throughout the course of the two-year project. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destinations.

The work is part of the I-35 North Metro Split project, which includes resurfacing the existing pavement from the I-35W/I-35E split to Highway 8; replacing the Highway 97 bridge with a diverging diamond interchange; replacing the northbound I-35W bridge over I-35E and the westbound Highway 8 bridge over I-35.

The project will provide a better ride quality, as well as improve safety and traffic flow at the Highway 97 interchange, according to transit officials.

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