MnDOT maps major 2026 metro road work, sets full Highway 280 closure dates
MnDOT plans a major 2026 metro reconstruction that will fully close northbound Highway 280 between I‑94 in St. Paul and Hwy 36/I‑35W in Roseville beginning 5 a.m. Monday, April 13, and fully close southbound 280 beginning April 29, with both directions closed through late August and scheduled to reopen before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair while lane and ramp restrictions continue into fall 2026. Through traffic will be detoured via I‑35W or I‑94/Hwy 36/I‑35E (no signed local detours), and the project includes lane and full closures on Broadway St NE, lane reductions on Energy Park Dr, and intermittent I‑94 ramp closures — including the southbound 280 and Franklin Ave ramps the weekend of April 10–13 and again April 29 through late August — likely increasing traffic on Cleveland, Raymond and other local streets.
📌 Key Facts
- MnDOT has scheduled full closures on Highway 280 in 2026 as part of major metro road work, including multimonth shutdowns of both directions of the freeway.
- Northbound Highway 280 (between I‑94 in St. Paul and Hwy 36/I‑35W in Roseville) will fully close starting 5 a.m. Monday, April 13, and remain closed through late August 2026.
- Southbound Highway 280 will fully close beginning April 29, 2026, and also remain closed through late August; both directions are scheduled to reopen before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, but lane and ramp work will continue into fall 2026.
- Through traffic will be detoured via I‑35W or the I‑94 → Hwy 36 → I‑35E corridor; MnDOT will not post signed local detours, so heavier traffic is expected on local streets including Cleveland and Raymond avenues.
- Local impacts include Broadway St NE lane closures beginning April 13 with a full closure starting April 29, and Energy Park Drive reduced to one lane each way under Highway 280.
- Key I‑94 ramps at University Ave and Franklin Ave will close on specific April dates tied to the 280 work and the John Ireland Bridge project: the ramps from southbound 280 and from Franklin Ave to eastbound I‑94 will close the weekend of April 10–13, briefly reopen, then close again April 29 through late August.
📊 Relevant Data
The estimated cost of the Hwy 280 St. Paul to Roseville resurfacing and repair project is $34 million.
Hwy 280 St. Paul to Roseville Project — Minnesota Department of Transportation
Highway 280 experiences an average of 103 crashes per year based on data from 2004 to 2022.
Highway 280 Traffic Projections: Days of Future Past — streets.mn
The average annual daily traffic on Highway 280 at Roselawn Avenue was 41,441 vehicles in 2022.
Highway 280 Traffic Projections: Days of Future Past — streets.mn
Minnesota's 2026 construction projects are funded by a combination of federal grants, state trunk highway bonds, and local contributions.
Minnesota launches $1.5B highway construction program — govmarketnews.com
Freeze-thaw cycles in Minnesota contribute to pothole formation and road deterioration.
Four reasons Minnesota's roads are so riddled with potholes, and what we could be doing about it — MinnPost
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Northbound Highway 280 between I‑94 in St. Paul and Hwy 36/I‑35W in Roseville will fully close starting 5 a.m. Monday, April 13, and remain closed through late August.
- Southbound Highway 280 will fully close beginning April 29 and also stay closed through late August, with both directions scheduled to reopen before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair but with lane and ramp closures continuing into fall 2026.
- Through traffic will be detoured via I‑35W or I‑94, Hwy 36 and I‑35E, while no signed local detours will be posted — meaning heavier traffic is expected on Cleveland and Raymond avenues and other local streets.
- Broadway St NE will see lane closures starting April 13 and a full closure starting April 29; Energy Park Dr will be reduced to one lane each way under 280; key I‑94 ramps at University Ave and Franklin Ave will close on specific April dates tied to both the 280 work and the John Ireland Bridge project.
- MnDOT confirms the ramps from southbound 280 and Franklin Ave to eastbound I‑94 will close the weekend of April 10–13 for an I‑94 closure, then reopen briefly before shutting again April 29 through late August.