MnDOT Announces I-694 Oakdale Reopen Date

The city of Oakdale and the Minnesota Department of Transportation plan to complete repairs to the city water main and Interstate 694 and open the roadway to traffic by Saturday morning, Dec. 9. I-694 has been closed since Dec. 3 due to a break in a 12-inch water main buried beneath the roadway. Since Sunday, Oakdale has had contractors at work to get the water main replaced and the roadway repaired.

“An unexpected event such as a water main break can have rippling effects on a community, including requiring a road closure for several days,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle in a statement. “Many partners—Oakdale utility crews and police department, MnDOT and contractors Miller Excavating, Burschville Construction, Veit Construction and T.A. Schifky and Sons—came together quickly so we could restore the infrastructure as swiftly as possible and minimize inconvenience to the public. Thank you for your patience during this time.”

Also read: Oakdale Replaces Cracked Pipe That Caused 'Giant' Sinkhole

Final repairs will wrap up late on Friday or early Saturday. MnDOT crews will then remove barriers and open the road later Saturday morning.

“On behalf of the citizens of Oakdale, we would like to thank our Public Works crew and partners at MnDOT and other agencies,” said Oakdale Mayor Paul Reinke. “They demonstrated competence and a sense of urgency toward completing water main and street repairs in a timely manner.”

Image via City of Oakdale