Major traffic changes due to bridge collapse

Traffic will be diverted due to the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is making Minnesota Highway 280 the primary route to replace northbound and southbound I-35W traffic. It will carry traffic from I-35W in Roseville to Interstate 94.

To prevent traffic snarls, Highway 280 will be converted to a temporary freeway with no traffic signals. The change means Broadway Avenue and County Road B will no longer have access to the highway, and the lights at these intersections will stay green for the highway.

North of the collapsed bridge, traffic on I-35W will stop at the Stinson/New Brighton Boulevard exits. South of the bridge, all northbound I-35W traffic will be forced to exit onto eastbound I-94.

In addition to these changes, the ramp from Hennepin Avenue to Southbound I-35W will be closed to traffic.

Leaving downtown Minneapolis
Drivers wanting to leave downtown Minneapolis have three main routes:
* Fourth Avenue South, which feeds onto southbound I-35W;
* Sixth Street South, which feeds onto eastbound I-94; and
* Third Street West, which feeds onto Interstate 394 or I-94 westbound.
Please be advised that there may be more changes to this transportation plan. The situation may change to accommodate traffic patterns. For more informtion, visit the City of Minneapolis website at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us.

DIRECTIONS

Heading North on 35W
1.       Follow the downtown exit to 5th Avenue.
2.       Take 5th Avenue to Chicago Avenue South.
3.       Turn right onto Chicago Avenue South and travel 3 blocks.
4.       Turn right onto Washington Avenue South. 
5.       Continue up to 10th Avenue. 
6.       Open Book is on the right-hand side.

Heading South on 35W
Please take the Highway 280 detour (bypassing the 35W bridge over the Mississippi River) and follow directions for “Heading East on I-94," or take alternate routes.

Heading East on 94 (from northern suburbs)
1.       Take 4th Street North exit
2.       Turn left on 2nd Avenue
3.       Turn right on Washington Avenue
4.       Continue up to 10th Avenue
5.       Open Book is on the right-hand side
Or - take 35W and follow directions above

Heading West on 94 (from St. Paul)
1.       Take 5th Street exit
2.       Follow 5th Street around the Metrodome
3.       Turn right on Park Avenue
4.       Turn right on Washington Avenue
5.       Continue up to 10th Avenue
6.       Open Book will be on the right.

Heading East on Olson Memorial Highway
1.       Turn left on 6th Avenue (just past Texaco Station)
2.       Turn right on Washington Avenue North
3.       Follow Washington Avenue to 10th Avenue South
4.       Open Book will be on your right-hand side

Heading East on 394
1.       Stay in left lanes "to downtown"
2.       Take Washington Avenue exit
3.       Turn right at Washington Avenue
4.       Continue up past Hennepin, to 10th Ave.
5.       Open Book will be on you right-hand side