Attention drivers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes: if your Friday plans involve cruising through Plymouth, prepare for a reroute. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced an all-day closure of Northwest Boulevard. This shutdown will take place between Highway 55, and Campus Drive from the crack of dawn at 5 a.m. until the evening winds down at 8 p.m. on September 6th. The closure is part of the bigger picture—a Highway 55 pavement improvement project that's expected to smooth things over for future travels.
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of navigation. For those heading southbound, MnDOT suggests a detour that weaves from Campus Drive to Xenium Lane, and then Rockford Road to merge onto the southbound I-494. Northbound travelers aren't left out in the cold either, as they can loop around westbound Highway 55, hook onto northbound I-494, and then hit Rockford Road. You can eyeball the detours firsthand on MnDOT's website here.
Bear in mind, though, that even the best-laid plans of MnDOT are at the mercy of Mother Nature. If she throws a fit with inclement weather, these plans might get shelved until the storm clouds part. If you're the sort to keep a keen eye on project updates or just hate being caught off guard, consider signing up for email notifications over on MnDOT's project webpage.
For all the commuters out there, Friday's closure will be a snag in the fabric of your day-to-day but, remember this inconvenience is a small price to pay for smoother rides down the road. And while the journey might be a touch longer, or the view a bit different, it's all in service of laying down the tracks for a well-oiled infrastructure. Stay tuned to local traffic reports, keep these detours in mind, and you'll navigate the day as best as any Minnesotan can.
