Drivers, cool your engines. Eastbound Interstate 94 will close from Friday to Monday in its entirety between Minnesota 280 and Interstate 35E as the Minnesota Department of Transportation continues bridge work along the freeway.

MnDOT plans to repair nine bridges over I-94 and Interstate 35E in St. Paul this summer, leading into the full replacement of the John Ireland Bridge over I-94 beginning in October, after the Twin Cities Marathon. The new bridge design will include new sidewalks, biking facilities and accessibility updates.

In addition, the Marion Street bridge over I-94 will be closed from July 7 through Sept. 26.

Other bridges to be painted and improved this summer include Jackson Street, Robert Street, Minnesota Street, Cedar Street, Wabasha Street, 10th Street, Western Avenue, Marion Street and the Fifth Street ramp to I-94 westbound. The eastbound closure of I-94 will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and is expected to continue until 5 a.m. Monday. Eastbound traffic will be directed north on Minnesota 280, east on Minnesota 36 and south on I-35E, returning to I-94.

For more information, visit the project website at tinyurl.com/94StPaul2025.

I-494 and I-35W in south metro also to close for weekend

Meanwhile, segments of Interstate 494 and Interstate 35W will also close Friday in the south metro.

Eastbound I-494 will close in both directions between Minnesota 100 and I-35W. Westbound I-494 will close in both directions between Minnesota 77 and Minnesota 100. I-35W will close in both directions between I-494 and Minnesota 62.

The closures will take place from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday. All ramps in these areas also will be closed starting at 8 p.m. Friday. This weekend closure is to allow crews to remove the westbound I-494 bridge over I-35W and continue drainage construction along I-494.

Motorists traveling westbound on I-494 can use northbound Minnesota 77 to Minnesota 62 to southbound Minnesota 100 to westbound I-494 as a detour. Motorists traveling on eastbound I-494 can use northbound Minnesota 100 to eastbound Minnesota 62 to southbound Minnesota 77 to eastbound I-494 as a detour.

Those traveling on northbound I-35W can use eastbound I-494 to northbound Minnesota 77 to westbound Minnesota 62 to northbound I-35W as a detour. And, those traveling on southbound I-35W can use eastbound Minnesota 62 to southbound Minnesota 77 to southbound I-35E to southbound I-35 as a detour.

All construction activities and traffic impacts are weather and schedule permitting and subject to change. MnDOT is urging motorists to drive with caution and slow down in work zones.

For more information, visit the project website at tinyurl.com/3vznb3v9.