Heads up, commuters and residents in the Plymouth and Golden Valley areas—construction work is about to impact your travel plans. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced that starting Wednesday, August 7, crews will begin storm sewer maintenance at the junction of Highway 55 and Highway 169. As reported by the city of Plymouth's official website, this essential work is part of the larger Highway 55 pavement improvement project.
During this period, expect intermittent ramp closures at the interchange from Aug. 7 to Aug. 16. The northbound Highway 169 to eastbound Highway 55 ramp, along with the westbound Highway 55 to northbound Highway 169 ramp, will both be closed from the early hours of 7 a.m. on August 7 and are expected to be reopened that evening. As per the schedule provided by MnDOT, traveling using the designated detours will be essential for those affected by the closures, which will be sign-posted and marked, ensuring a less stressful commute.
Additional closures will take place on Thursday, August 8. The ramp from southbound Highway 169 to westbound Highway 55 will shut down at 7 a.m., slated, too, to reopen later that evening. Detours are going to be in place, directing drivers to a series of alternative routes to circumnavigate the work zones—a staple hassle during summer infrastructural work, or as some would call it, Minnesota's second winter. The eastbound Highway 55 to southbound Highway 169 ramp will also be unavailable from the morning of August 8 and is set to remain closed until the evening of August 9.
Travelers will need to gird themselves for further disruptions as we head into the week of August 12. According to MnDOT's plans, the loop from westbound Highway 55 to southbound Highway 169 will experience closure beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday and will continue through Friday, August 16. For the determined souls making their way through these commutes, detours will guide them via Rockford Road and other local passages. Those looking to stay ahead of the curve can find all detour maps and additional project information by visiting the MnDOT project webpage.
MnDOT also notes these plans are weather dependent—meaning they may change depending on Mother Nature's whims. Project email updates are available for those who wish to remain updated with the latest traffic advisories and construction news. Time to plan your detours and maybe fire up that favorite podcast for what might be a longer ride to your usual destinations.
