With the Twin Cities Marathon wrapped up, the John Ireland Boulevard bridge over Interstate 94 between Kellogg Boulevard and Rice Street in St. Paul will close Monday for reconstruction expected to last until August of 2026.
Detours
Traffic will be directed from Kellogg to Marion Street to University Avenue to Rice Street.
Those on foot or bicycling will be detoured to Kellogg to the Marion Street bridge to Rondo Avenue.
Taking it apart, rebuilding it
The bridge, first constructed in 1967, has four lanes of traffic over I-94. The state Department of Transportation plans to take it apart and rebuild it.
While it is currently safe, repair is needed to keep it that way for motorists based on modern weight limits, according to MnDOT.
The bridge will be rebuilt within “the same footprint as the existing bridge,” according to a statement from MnDOT. There also will be sidewalk repairs, updates to bike and pedestrian facilities, accessibility, and railing.
When will the work start?
Construction noise is expected to begin between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, MnDOT said.
Those with questions can contact the project hotline at info@stpaulbridges.com or 612-424-2698. More information can be found at 511mn.org.
Other bridge projects
Besides John Ireland, MnDOT also is working to replace bridges over I-94 and I-35E at Jackson Street, Robert Street, Minnesota Street, Cedar Street, Wabasha Street North, 10th Street West, Western Avenue North, Marion Street and the ramp from Fifth Street to westbound I-94. The work is expected to be finished by fall of 2026.
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