Metro - I-494 Edina to Richfield: 2023-2026 construction
By 7 a.m. Thu, Feb. 19, crews will permanently close the ramps from eastbound I-494 to Nicollet Ave. and Nicollet Ave. to westbound I-494 in Richfield.
Simultaneously, crews will close the Nicollet Ave. bridge over I-494 between East 78th St. and American Blvd. through Sept. Motorists traveling through the area should use Lyndale or Portland avenues to exit or enter and cross I-494.
Beginning at 10 p.m. Fri, Feb. 20 through 5 a.m. Mon, Feb. 23, I-494 will be closed in both directions between I-35W and Hwy 77. This closure is necessary to allow crews to safely demolish the Nicollet Ave. bridge and remove the pedestrian bridge at 12th Ave.
Motorists traveling through the area should use I-35W, Hwy 62, Hwy 77 and I-494 as their detours.
Starting at 7 a.m. Thu, March 5, crews will close the 12th Ave. bridge over I-494 between East 78th St. and American Blvd. through September. Motorists traveling through the area should use Lyndale or Portland avenues to cross I-494.
Then beginning at 10 p.m. Fri, March 6 through 5 a.m. Mon, March 9, I-494 will be closed in both directions between I-35W and Hwy 77. This closure is necessary to allow crews to safely remove the 12th Ave. bridge.
Motorists traveling through the area will again follow the same detours using I-35W, Hwy 62, Hwy 77 and I-494 as their detours.
Please visit the project webpage for a full list of ramp closures and detours.
We appreciate your patience while we make these improvements. Plan ahead by checking 511, and give yourself additional time to reach your destination.
Please note that all timeframes are approximate, subject to change, and weather and schedule dependent.
Please drive with care in work zones:
- Slow down when approaching every work zone, then navigate with care and caution.
- Stay alert; work zones constantly change.
- Watch for workers and slow-moving equipment.
- Obey posted speed limits. The fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
- Minimize distractions behind the wheel.
- Be patient; expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
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The I-494: Airport to Hwy 169 study goal includes improvements to address current and future transportation issues on I-494 from Hwy 169 to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. It's a major construction project that cannot be built all at once due to funding limitations and impacts during construction. As a result, four separate construction projects have been planned to complete the entire I-494 vision.
Project 1 is currently underway and will continue through fall 2026. We are constructing E-ZPass lanes on I-494 from Hwy 100 to I-35W in each direction and adding a new ramp at the I-35W and I-494 interchange. We are also replacing the bridges crossing over I-494 at Portland Ave., Nicollet Ave., and 12th Ave., and adding a new pedestrian bridge at Chicago Ave. that crosses over I-494 to provide an additional pedestrian and bicycle connection across I-494.
Project 2 will complete the corridor vision. This work will include possible noise wall construction, and construction of new E-ZPass lanes in both directions between Hwy 169 and Hwy 100, and from I-35W and the airport. We will also rebuild several bridges, including the Hwy 77 bridge over I-494, the 82nd St. over I-35W and the railroad bridge east of Lyndale Ave., replace pavement within the project limits and modifications at the France Ave. ramps. This work is scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and continue through fall 2030.
For more information, including upcoming traffic impacts and detours, visit the project webpage. If you have questions, please contact the project team.
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