Construction Updates

Dear neighbors,

Construction is the 5th season here in Minnesota and this year Bryn Mawr is the focus of many improvement projects. Bryn Mawr is OPEN for business. See below for the latest from the City of Minneapolis and MNDOT. See the project websites for more information. Plan ahead!

Cedar Lake Road Bridge Replacement

The Cedar Lake Road Bridge was constructed in 1941 to carry traffic over the BNSF railroad. The bridge has served two-way vehicular traffic and has sidewalks on each side of the bridge. In 2023 the City performed temporary repairs to ensure the bridge could remain open between that time and the project to replace the structure.Private utility work is expected to take place on Cedar Lake Road between Newton Ave S and Chestnut Ave W. It is anticipated that the road will be closed to all users for approximately two weeks starting July 22nd.

Visit the project webpage and sign up for project updates:

https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/cedar-lake-rd-bridge/

I-94 Bridge Repairs

Construction on I-394 and I-94 is scheduled to be completed in November as crews repair and restore more than 30 bridges. The best way to stay informed on traffic impacts is to sign up for MnDOT project email updates on the project website.

Key traffic changes starting July 8 through November

The Penn Avenue bridge over I-394 will remain closed as crews complete work to ensure it is ADA-compliant. As a result of this continued closure and the new lane closures on eastbound I-394, the eastbound I-394 ramps to and from Penn Avenue will close from Wednesday, July 8, through November. To safely accommodate the new traffic configuration and maintain traffic flow through the work zone, the westbound I-394 ramps to and from Penn Avenue will also remain closed through November.

We understand these closures will increase travel times to and from the Bryn Mawr neighborhood for those using I-394, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as crews complete work on the Penn Avenue bridge and ramps. For more information see the project webpage.

Q. Why the change in plans to not open the westbound ramps?

A. The project team has determined that keeping the WB I-394 to/from Penn Avenue ramps closed is the safest option during this stage of construction, due to the unique challenges posed by the configuration of that intersection.  

With the bridge remaining closed through November for work, in keeping Penn Avenue closed from the bridge to Mount View Avenue, we want to avoid the possibility of traffic heading south on Penn Avenue and attempting to take a U-turn at the bridge, where the intersection does not allow drivers to do so safely.  

The project team is also looking to prevent traffic back-ups at the westbound I-394 to Penn Avenue exit ramp that could arise from confused drivers and dangerous U-turn maneuvers. Construction crews will also periodically be using this space as work continues on and around the bridge. 

Lastly, to encourage motorists to drive at safe speeds, MnDOT has placed speed calming signs (electronic boards that alert drivers to their speed) at a few locations in the Bryn Mawr area, on Cedar Lake Rd. between Upton Ave. and Penn Ave. and on Glenwood Ave. between Xerxes Ave. and Lyndale Ave.

Given patterns of poor driver behavior in the area during construction, the project team decided that it is not safe to open the northbound lane of Penn Avenue for off-ramp traffic while keeping the southbound lane closed. Keeping both lanes closed will prevent drivers from accidentally driving the wrong way down a temporary one way and potentially causing back-ups and accidents. 

We understand that keeping these ramps closed bring upon challenges with access to/from the neighborhood and we sincerely appreciate your patience as we work to complete the project. 

Q. Any chance the westbound ramps will open sooner than November?

A. Our goal is to reopen the ramps as soon as it is safe to do so. Our work is currently scheduled to be completed in late November. If work is completed ahead of schedule, the ramps may reopen earlier than expected.