Pat Mack
This exit ramp on I-94 is closed until October.
A major I-94 access point to Woodbury is closed through mid-October. The eastbound Interstate ramp to Radio Drive shut down Monday, Aug. 4.
Chris Hartzell, Woodbury’s engineering director, outlined the details to the Woodbury City Council at its meeting on July 30. Council members expressed dismay in part because the Minnesota Department of Transportation has not prepared the public for the ramp closure.
They also know the ramp project will compound an intense road construction season in the city due to some planned maintenance as well as work to lay miles of pipeline for the Water Treatment Plant.
“Starting at 5 a.m. on Aug. 4, crews will close the ramp to replace the traffic signal system at the interchange and also make improvements to the ADA ramp,” Hartzell said.
Motorists are being detoured to the Woodbury Drive exit during the closure. Mayor Anne Burt was worried about too much traffic being pushed to Woodbury Drive.
Ahead of the ramp work, MnDOT closed two eastbound I-94 lanes between the I-94/I-494/I-694 Interchange and Radio Drive beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday to set up the work zone. The lanes reopened by 5 a.m.
Council member Donna Stafford asked whether it was possible to finish the city construction projects faster. Hartzell replied that rainy weather hampered road construction projects as the clay soil, prevalent in many parts of Woodbury, takes longer to dry out.
Officials are reminding drivers to stay alert, slow down, and use caution in work zones, especially where workers are present.