Drivers navigating the stretch of I-94 between Albertville and Monticello are in for a change starting this Thursday night as construction crews prepare to shift westbound traffic into the eastbound lanes. The action is part of the larger I-94 gap project and is set to begin overnight on July 17, carrying into the early morning of July 18, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Commuters should brace themselves for possible delays during this time, as concrete barriers are moved to facilitate the traffic shift.
The maneuver, aimed at allowing ongoing construction work, is a significant yet temporary rearrangement on this busy interstate. MnDOT has laid out that all traffic will be in the eastbound lanes – two lanes in both directions – until the fall, a setup designed to not impact the morning rush to allow drivers to maintain something resembling their routine commute. The department has signalled its intention to place highly visible signage to direct and alert motorists effectively.
This interim traffic pattern is expected to stay in place through the fall season, after which lanes will return to their normal flow. However, this won't mark the end of construction activities in the area. MnDOT has further plans for spring 2026, where the eastbound lanes are slated for expansion; hence, another traffic shift, this time moving vehicles into the westbound lanes, is on the horizon, as indicated in an announcement on Wright County's official website.
While the MnDOT assures that the current changes are set to be completed before the fall to revert lanes to their original configuration, commuters will need to prepare to adjust once more, come next spring. Keeping the public informed, the department continues to share updates and monitor the situation closely, striving to minimize disruptions and keep traffic smoothly running during this phase of the project, which ultimately aims to improve the I-94 thoroughfare for the long term.
