A major I-94 access point to Woodbury is closing through mid-October. The eastbound Interstate ramp to Radio Drive will shut down Monday, Aug. 4.

Chris Hartzell, Woodbury’s engineering director, outlined the details to the Woodbury City Council at its meeting on Wednesday. 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 will be 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 will also close 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 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. that same day.

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.