Minnesota motorists will notice construction on their daily commutes.
Work will begin on the Minnesota River Bridge on Highway 14 in Mankato on May 6. The project aims to re-pave and improve safety to the area.
The work is expected to last until July. Work will be spread out through four separate stages.
“We’ll do a concrete mill and overlay of the bridge surface, and the main goals of the project are to improve the pavement for a smoother concrete surface and then increase the safety of the corridor with that surface,” said Minnesota Department of Transportation's (MnDOT) Peter Engelmeyer.
MnDOT said that the project is planned around other projects in the area, as Highway 22 connecting Mankato and St. Peter won’t see closures until next year, and the repair of the Highway 14 bridge over Highway 22 that was damaged back in January won’t begin until August as a part of the Augusta Drive roundabout project, after the Minnesota River bridge is already completed.
“Upcoming this spring into early summer the Highway 14 bridge project is occurring in Mankato and that’s planned to wrap up about middle of July, and then towards the early part of August that’s when the roundabout project is supposed to begin out by Augusta Drive so the projects occur in succession,” said Engelmeyer.
MnDOT is installing E-ZPass lanes along Interstate 494, from Highway 100 to Interstate 35 west. Additionally, a new on-ramp is being added at the I-35W and I-494 interchange to cut down traffic congestion.
The work is expected to be finished by fall 2026.
The modifications will bring about a shift in how some areas interact with the interstate. Once the project is completed, I-494 will no longer be accessible from Nicollet Avenue and 12th Avenue, though full access from Portland Avenue will be preserved.
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Source: KEYC TV, Hoodline
