I-94 In Rogers Reopens With More Lanes, Less Traffic
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Drivers traveling along Interstate 94 in the northwest metro are receiving some good news Tuesday. I-94 will now have more lanes, more ramps and less traffic.
The recent construction project, which just wrapped up, included improvements to eastbound and westbound lanes from Rogers to St. Michael.
On Tuesday, there was an opening celebration ceremony that MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle and Governor Mark Dayton attended.
"This project is one example of the type of infrastructure improvements we need to do to support our state's economy," Zelle said in a recent press release. "Our transportation system needs to support the smooth and reliable flow of freight and employees commuting to work. The Corridors of Commerce program is intended to do just that."
The interstate is a vital freight corridor, which is one of the reasons the opening ceremony was held at FedEx. The delivery company is also celebrating its new facility, which will open in 10 days.
FedEx said the improvements to I-94 will allow them to deliver packages to customers faster.
The $28.3 million Corridors of Commerce project included adding lanes onto each side of the road between Highways 101 and 241, which is a two mile stretch.
Before the upgrades, congestion along the I-94 corridor had reached its breaking point. In some cases, it would take drivers almost an hour to travel through the area.
The interstate improvements have now helped traffic flow and cut back congestion on secondary routes.
"That's exactly what the Corridors of Commerce intended to do, is to do demonstrate that with additional funding we can make a real difference in where people locate and where their expansions occur. That in turn create jobs and more economic activity," Gov. Dayton said.
All of the new eastbound and westbound lanes and ramps are open. However, motorists may still run into periodic lane closures as crews wrap up the project.