With August right around the corner, it feels like summer is flying by. But, some may argue that road construction season has been going on for what seems like forever. Here's a look at the current and upcoming major projects that are occurring in and around the Metro area.

Twin Cities Construction Updates

Hwy 169

Areas: Golden Valley, Plymouth, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina
Schedule: January 23rd, 2017 - Early November 2017
About: This project is designed to replace the Hwy 169 bridge that runs over Nine Mile Creek in Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Edina. The bridge will be replaced with a causeway (a raised road across a low or wet ground). This project will also reconstruct more than six miles of pavement on Hwy 169 between Hwy 55 and north of Hwy 62, create acceleration and deceleration lanes at Cedar Lake Road, remove access to and from southbound Hwy 169 at 16th Street in St. Louis Park, along with repairing noise walls, replacing concrete barriers, and enhancing pedestrian accessibility.

I-694

Areas: Arden Hills, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, Little Canada
Schedule: April 11th, 2016 - October 27th, 2017
About: This project will add a third general purpose lane in each direction between Rice Street and Lexington Avenue, as well as rebuild interstate ramps at Lexington Avenue, Victoria Street, and Rice Street. Other enhancements include opening the right lane of the bridge from northbound I-35E to westbound I-694 (right lane will become an exit-only lane to Rice Street), building a noise wall along the south side of I-694 in Shoreview, and improving storm water drainage throughout the corridor.

I-94 St. Paul to Maplewood

Areas: St. Paul, Oakdale, Landfall, Maplewood, Woodbury
Schedule: Spring 2016 - Late-Fall 2017
About: This construction project is resurfacing eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 between Mounds Boulevard in St. Paul to east of Hwy 120/Century Avenue. A new auxiliary lane will be built, as well as extending the existing auxiliary lane and creating two emergency pull-off spots along eastbound I-94 between the East 7th Street exit and the entrance from Mounds Boulevard. Hwy 61 from Burns Avenue to Hwy 5 will be resurfaced, trail connections at McKnight Road and Century Avenue will be created, signals and pedestrian access will be updated, a noise wall will be built, and bridges will be repaired.

I-94 Minneapolis to Brooklyn Center

Areas: Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center
Schedule: March 20th, 2017 - Summer 2018
About: Chances are, this construction project has affected your drive in some way, shape, or form. Crews have been resurfacing approximately nine miles of pavement on I-94 between Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis and Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center, repairing 50 bridges on that stretch, reconstructing westbound I-94 bridge deck over Hwy 252, replacing guardrails and all entrance and exit ramps. You're also probably well-aware that the Lowry Tunnel is currently under construction, as work is being done to repair the tile in that one and the Portland Avenue tunnel, too.

Other Twin Cities Construction Projects

Hwy 47 and Hwy 65 in Minneapolis

Through July 27, 2017, crews will be digging a small trench on University Avenue from Broadway Avenue to 17th Avenue. This will happen in front of homes on the west side of University Avenue.

Hwy 3 in Castle Rock

Starting July 24th, 2017 and ending September 24th, 2017, Hwy 3 will be closed at the intersection of County Road 86. Access to residences and businesses will remain open, however, you may need to follow detours to reach your destination.

Hwy 10 at I-35W in Arden Hills

The ramp from westbound Hwy 10 to northbound I-35W is closed through late-August, and the detour runs west on I-694 to reach northbound I-35W. If you're traveling west on County Road 96, continue westbound past the Hwy 10 ramp until you reach I-35W.

I-35E Bridges in St. Paul

Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-35E will be two lanes of traffic in each direction during the duration of the project that runs until September 22nd, 2017. Shepard Road beneath I-35E will be a single lane in each direction through the duration of the project.

86th Street Bridge over I-35W in Bloomington

The 86th Street bridge over I-35W is closed through October 2017. The detour runs from Penn Avenue and Lyndale Avenue and 82nd and 90th Streets.

Hwy 169 in Plymouth

The ramp from Medicine Lake Road to southbound Hwy 169 is closed through mid-August 2017. This area and Lancaster Lane remain closed to through traffic through mid-August 2017.

By planning ahead and following construction zone driving tips, you'll be sure to reach your destination safely. Visit MnDOT's website for complete coverage and information.