ST. PAUL, Minn. – Travelers should prepare to slow down for construction work zones as road projects begin to ramp up across the state, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced. The agency has nearly 180 road construction projects this season that will help maintain and improve Minnesota’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs that will be worked on statewide.

The 2025 construction season includes nearly 180 planned road and bridge projects, plus 51 projects that will improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit infrastructure.

“With construction projects beginning in the coming weeks statewide, drivers should use caution as they see more work zones, more lane closures and orange cones – and most importantly more workers wearing their high visibility safety gear along the highway,” said Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “We’re all safer when we pay close attention, slow down, remain patient and work together to safely share the limited space in a work zone.”

More information about safe driving around construction work zones can be found on our MnDOT Work Zone Safety website.

Significant projects in central Minnesota this year include:

• Begin the first year of a three-year project to expand Highway 10 through Wadena to four lanes, plus resurface and update Highways 29 and 71. Combined work includes sidewalks/trail, signals, new roundabouts, underground infrastructure, city utilities and new traffic and pedestrian signals.
  
• Expand Interstate 94 to six lanes, three lanes in each direction, from Albertville to Monticello, includes drainage and bridges. In 2025, crews will reconstruct westbound, replace the bridge over Wright County Road 19 and widen the bridge over the railroad tracks in Monticello.
• Resurface and update eight bridges on Highway 169 in Princeton, includes bridges over Mille Lacs County Road 31, West Branch Rum River, North Rum River Drive and South Rum River Drive.

Visit mndot.gov/d3/projects/ for information about construction projects, plans and studies in central Minnesota. The page includes links to more detailed project websites, project maps and handouts, and other helpful information.

Significant projects statewide this year include:

• In the Twin Cities metro area, repair five bridges along I-94 in Minneapolis, including the Mississippi River bridge, which will require a full closure of eastbound I-94 between 11^th Ave. S. and Franklin Ave. S.E. this weekend – 10 p.m. Friday, April 4 through 5 a.m. Monday, April 7. Other projects include: resurface Interstate 35W in Burnsville and repair or replace bridges at three locations; replace or repair bridges on I-494 between Edina and Richfield and over the Minnesota River, reconstruct Highway 5/East 7th Street and Highway 61/Arcade Street in St. Paul and Maplewood; repair 34 bridges and ramps along I-394 and I-94 in Minneapolis; repair 11 bridges, including the John Ireland Boulevard bridge along I-94 and I-35E in St. Paul; and add a third lane in each direction on Highway 10 in Coon Rapids.
• Complete the three-year I-35 Hinckley Bridge Replacement project. In 2025, crews will replace southbound I-35W bridges spanning the Grindstone River and a railroad.
• On Highway 12 from Litchfield to Cokato, crews will complete the two-year concrete repair, culvert and accessibility improvements project.
• In northern Minnesota, crews will reconstruct Highway 371 through Hackensack to three-lanes. The project will add a center-turn lane, additional sidewalks and parallel parking on both sides of the road and install a roundabout at the Highway 371/Cass County Road 5 intersection.
• Resurface eastbound I-94 from Rothsay to Fergus Falls.
• The 11^th Street underpass in Moorhead as the project enters the second of three years of construction. The project also includes constructing two underpasses under BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalk improvements, utility replacements and other improvements.
• From Mankato to St. Peter, work on Highway 22 will begin to replace and repair bridges, install a new roundabout at the Le Sueur County Road 21/Highway 22 intersection and improve lighting at intersections.
• Reconstructing Highway 19 in Marshall begins its first year of construction.

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:

• Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
• Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones, mobile devices, adjusting the radio – even eating –while in work zones.
• Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
• Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
• Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Do the zipper merge.
• Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
• Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.

2025 Minnesota road construction planning and travel tools

• Travelers can use several online tools to plan ahead for construction impacts like detours and lane closures.
• Visit mndot.gov/construction for the statewide view of the 2025 construction season’s projects. The site includes interactive maps linking to more detailed construction project websites, full project lists and other information.
• Individual project pages include information about construction schedules, detours and traffic impacts, maps, benefits and project costs.
• Know before you go – visit 511mn.org or use the 511 app to get near-real-time travel information.
• Sign up for project email updates, or other specific topics. 
• Follow MnDOT on social media.