MnDOT Announces 200+ Road and Bridge Construction Projects for 2026
Summary
The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced its 2026 road construction season will include just over 200 projects to improve state roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure, plus 51 additional projects for airports, water ports, railroad crossings, and transit. Significant projects include Hwy 65 interchange construction in Blaine, I-35E bridge replacement in St. Paul, I-94 expansion between Albertville and Monticello, and completion of multiyear projects on I-94 in St. Paul, I-35W in Burnsville, and I-394/I-94 in Minneapolis.
What changed
MnDOT announced its annual construction program for 2026, detailing over 200 road and bridge improvement projects across Minnesota. Projects span the Twin Cities metro area (including Hwy 280 resurfacing, Hwy 12 reconstruction, Hwy 65 interchange construction, I-35E bridge replacement) and greater Minnesota (including I-94 expansion between Albertville and Monticello, Hwy 197 reconstruction in Bemidji, Hwy 210 reconstruction in Brainerd). This is an informational announcement about planned infrastructure work, not a regulatory action.
Affected parties including motorists, commercial vehicle operators, and local residents should anticipate traffic changes, lane closures, and delays throughout the 2026 construction season. The announcement includes work zone safety reminders noting that speeding fines in work zones are $300. Travelers are encouraged to use 511mn.org, sign up for project email updates, and plan ahead for potential detours.
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
MnDOT announces 2026 state construction projects
More than 200 projects will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 2026 road construction season includes more than 200 projects that will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs throughout the state, MnDOT announced today. Travelers across Minnesota should be prepared to slow down as road construction projects scale up across the state.
The 2026 construction season includes just over 200 planned projects that will improve state roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure, plus 51 projects that will improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit.
“We have a robust 2026 road construction season ahead of us — when complete, these projects will help people get around more easily, improve safety, create smoother pavement, and improve connectivity for everyone who relies on our multimodal transportation system,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “In every work zone there are people working hard to keep you safe – help keep them safe too. Slow down when navigating work zones, put away every distraction, and work to keep everyone safe. We’re all in the work zone together.”
More information about safe driving around construction work zones can be found on our MnDOT Work Zone Safety website.
2026 Minnesota road construction planning and travel tools
Minnesota travelers can use several online tools to plan ahead and learn which work zones may require additional travel time or detours.
- Visit mndot.gov/construction to learn where you’ll cross paths with construction projects and navigate to project websites to find more detailed information including planned traffic changes and detour maps.
- Sign up for project email updates to receive project information including notification of when lanes or roads will close.
- Know before you go – visit 511mn.org or use the 511 app to get near-real-time travel information.
- Follow MnDOT on social media.
Significant projects this year
- In the Twin Cities metro area, resurfacing Hwy 280 in St. Paul, Roseville and Lauderdale and repairing ramps and bridges; reconstructing Hwy 12 in Wayzata and Minnetonka; beginning a four-year project to build four interchanges along Hwy 65 in Blaine; replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. in St. Paul; continuing reconstruction of Hwy 97 in Forest Lake; and ongoing construction of the Hwy 169/Hwy 282 interchange in Jordan. This is the final year for a number of significant multiyear projects, including I-94 in St. Paul (with the John Ireland Blvd. Bridge), I-35W in Burnsville and I-394/I-94 in Minneapolis.
- On I-94 between Albertville and Monticello, crews will complete expanding the interstate to three lanes and making other improvements. Farther west, crews will replace or repair bridges near Melrose and Sauk Rapids, resurface westbound I-94 west of Highway 79 near Evansville, and complete major interchange improvements at the west junction of I-94 and Highway 210 near Fergus Falls.
- Repaving, constructing roundabouts and intersection improvements on Hwy 61/London Road in Duluth.
- Beginning a multi-year project on Highway 197 in Bemidji that includes reconstructing, plus increasing safety by adding roundabouts and improving pedestrian accessibility at intersections.
- Completing a multi-year project on Highway 11 in Warroad that includes replacement of the Warroad River Bridge.
- Beginning a two-year project that will reconstruct Hwy 210 in Brainerd, add roundabouts, update the Mississippi River bridge and make other improvements.
- Improving Hwy 10, Hwy 71 and Hwy 29 in Wadena.
- Completing the 11th Street underpass project in Moorhead. The three-year project includes constructing two underpasses beneath BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalks, utility replacements and other improvements.
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 and mobile devices, adjusting the radio or 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 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. ###
MnDOT Media Room
Contact
- Anne Meyer 651-366-4281
Connect with us
Real-time traffic and travel information
- Visit 511mn.org
- Download a free smartphone app:
- App Store Google Play
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