Major I-494 project awarded $60M federal infrastructure grant

A massive Interstate 494 project received a $60 million infrastructure grant from the federal government, Rep. Dean Phillips announced Tuesday.

Details: The $273 million project will reshape the stretch of freeway between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and Highway 169.

• It will add a managed lane (MnPass, buses and carpools) in each direction between Highway 100 and 35W.
• Crews will rebuild the interchange at I-35W and I-494.
• The project will add a new all-access interchange at Portland Avenue and it'll close access and build new bridges at Nicollet and 12th avenues.
• New pedestrian and biking bridges, as well as trails, will be added at Chicago, Portland and near France avenues.

What they're saying: "The grant is great news for the project," said MnDOT spokesman Dave Aeikens. "It will help make I-494 safer, less congested, last longer and provide new and improved ways for walkers and bicyclists to cross the freeway."

Yes, but: Oh lordy. We're almost done with the four-year 35W project and now this?!

• The 494 project is slated to begin in early summer 2023 and wrap up in 2025, Aeikens said.