Construction on Penn Ave Bridge begins March 2

Full closure of I-394 Feb. 27-March 2

February to summer 2026 Westbound I-394 will be reduced to two lanes using E-ZPass lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100 The Penn Ave. bridge will be closed

Summer to fall 2026 Eastbound I-394 is reduced to two lanes using E-ZPass lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100 The Penn Ave. bridge will be closed

Construction on Penn Ave Bridge begins March 2.mp3

Posted Friday, February 27, 2026 3:40 pm

CHANGES BASED ON COMMUNITY INPUT

From Ward 7 Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer: While not all suggestions get turned into action, MNDOT has already made two important changes in direct response to concerns residents have raised with my office. Traffic barricades blocking access to Mt. View and Penn Ave. S. were reconfigured to permit safer and more practical traffic flow, and a stop sign has been placed at N. Wayzata Blvd. and Upton Ave. to help address pedestrian safety concerns. If and when other issues arise, I hope you will always feel free to reach out to my office. Everyone involved with this project knows it is substantially disruptive, but I feel like we’re developing constructive working relationships, and I want to keep that going until this project wraps up in November.

Audio

Construction on Penn Ave Bridge begins March 2.mp3

Beginning 10 p.m. Fri, Feb. 27, I-394 will close in both directions between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100 until 5 a.m. Mon, March 2. The I-394 weekend closure is to allow crews to remove the Penn Ave. bridge deck, which will be rebuilt as part of this project.

Work on this significant construction project will continue through late fall. MnDOT anticipates the biggest delay will be westbound traffic from downtown Minneapolis during the afternoon rush hours.

Stay informed on the I-94 and I-394 project:
• Online: visit the project website for up-to-date information, including schedules, traffic shifts and key milestones.
• Email updates: interested stakeholders are encouraged to sign up for email updates
• Project phone: 612-688-0963
• Project email: info@i94andi394.com
• 511: visit 511 for real-time travel information.
• Contact the project team: See contact information below 

I-394 and I-94 traffic impacts: Late February through mid-summer 2026
• Westbound I-394 traffic will use the E-ZPass lanes between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100 (E-ZPass lanes will operate as regular lanes through the fall)
• Westbound I-394 will be reduced to two lanes of traffic between Hwy 100 and I-94
• When entering and exiting the E-ZPass lanes, westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane
• Weekend closure of I-394 between Hwy 100 and I-94 is slated for late February for the Penn Ave. Bridge deck removal
• Eastbound I-94 to westbound I-394 ramp will be closed

Penn Avenue bridge closure: Late February through fall 2026
• Penn Ave. bridge will close in late February and remain closed through the fall for bridge redecking
◦ Westbound I-394 ramps to/from Penn Ave. will also close and remain closed through mid-summer
◦ Eastbound I-394 ramps to/from Penn Ave. will remain open through mid-summer
◦ Eastbound I-394 ramps to/from Penn Ave. will close mid-summer through fall

Other area ramp closures (dates to be determined):
• Short-term closure of Hwy 55 ramp to eastbound I-94
• Short-term closure of westbound I-94 to Hwy 55
• Long-term closure of eastbound I-394 to westbound I-94

The final stage of construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with eastbound I-394 traffic being reduced to two driving lanes through fall 2026, among other impacts that will be shared at a future date.

In July 2025, MnDOT began repairing bridges and ramps along I-394 and I-94 between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100. This project includes maintenance to the Dunwoody Blvd. ramp, replacing the deck for the Penn Ave. bridge that crosses over I-394, and other improvements along I-394 between downtown Minneapolis and Hwy 100. This work is expected to last through fall 2026.

Summary of work

Repair 34 bridges and ramps along I-394 and I-94, including the Penn Ave. bridge, the I-394 bridges over I-94 and Dunwoody Blvd. and ramps at the I-94/I-394 interchange
Realign the I-394 to Dunwoody Blvd. ramp
Replace the deck on part of the Dunwoody Blvd. bridge
Replace bridge joints, repair pavement, and improve drainage at various locations in the project area
Replace the Penn Ave. bridge deck
Accessibility, lighting, and sidewalk improvements at Dunwoody Blvd.
Accessibility and sidewalk improvements at Penn Ave.