I‑394 overnight closures pushed to March 19 after storm
MnDOT has delayed the start of major overnight closures and lane reductions on I‑394 between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 from March 16 to March 19, 2026, after the weekend snowstorm slowed preparations. Under the updated schedule, westbound I‑394 will be fully closed each night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Thursday, March 19, through Saturday, March 21, to allow bridge‑deck work on the Penn Avenue bridge, which itself will stay closed until fall 2026. Eastbound I‑394 will be reduced to a single lane from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Friday, March 20, through Saturday, March 21, and again nightly from Monday, March 23, through Saturday, March 28, with lanes reopening by 6 a.m. each morning. MnDOT is warning drivers in Minneapolis and the western suburbs to expect significant overnight delays and to watch for further changes as weather remains a wild card, with updated details posted on the agency’s project page.
📌 Key Facts
- MnDOT has rescheduled I‑394 overnight closures from March 16 to March 19, 2026, due to weekend snow accumulation.
- Westbound I‑394 between downtown Minneapolis and Highway 100 will be closed nightly 10 p.m.–5 a.m. March 19–21 for Penn Avenue bridge work.
- Eastbound I‑394 will be reduced to one lane 10 p.m.–6 a.m. March 20–21 and March 23–28, with the Penn Avenue bridge remaining closed until fall 2026.
📊 Relevant Data
The March 2026 snowstorm in the Twin Cities metro area resulted in snowfall of 10 to 12 inches in the south metro and 4 to 8 inches in the north metro, with additional accumulation of 4 to 6 inches expected.
Snow totals stack up as blizzard conditions persist — MPR News
During the March 2026 snowstorm, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 464 property damage crashes, including one fatal crash, from midnight Friday to midnight Monday.
Cumulative property damage crashes from multiple winter storms in early 2026 in Minnesota include at least 464 from the March storm, over 400 from a December 2025 storm, and hundreds from a February 2026 storm, totaling over 1,200 in Minnesota alone.
Over 800 crashes reported across Minnesota, North Dakota after snowstorm — Valley News Live
Minnesota has seen an increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events over the last century, driven by climate change, contributing to more intense weather events including winter storms.
Climate Change Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
The I-394 project, including the Penn Avenue bridge deck replacement, is part of a $67 million initiative to repair 34 bridges and ramps along I-394 and I-94 for safety improvements and to extend their lifespan.
I-394 construction resumes next weekend: Delays expected — FOX 9
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