Jun 30, 2021 - News

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

A sign warning of road construction ahead.

Photo: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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.
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