More Than 200 Road Construction Projects Now Planned In Minnesota

Last year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced approximately 180 road and bridge construction projects for the 2025 season aimed at improving safety and infrastructure statewide.

The projects included major improvements to interstates and state highways, along with 51 additional projects focused on airports, water ports, railroad crossings, and transit improvements.

Now that spring has arrived, people traveling throughout Minnesota can expect to begin seeing another round of similar construction projects. In fact, there will be even more this year than last.

MnDOT 2026 Construction Projects Announced

MnDOT has announced details on the upcoming road construction season, which will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs throughout the state.

The 2026 construction season includes just over 200 planned projects that will improve state roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure, plus 51 projects designed to improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings, and transit.

“We have a robust 2026 road construction season ahead of us — when complete, these projects will help people get around more easily, improve safety, create smoother pavement, and improve connectivity for everyone who relies on our multimodal transportation system,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger.

Get our free mobile app

Daubenberger went on to stress that every work zone will be full of people working hard, and all drivers should slow down when approaching any work zone to help keep everyone safe.

Significant projects this year in Minnesota include:

• In the Twin Cities metro area, resurfacing Hwy 280 in St. Paul, Roseville, and Lauderdale and repairing ramps and bridges; reconstructing Hwy 12 in Wayzata and Minnetonka; beginning a four-year project to build four interchanges along Hwy 65 in Blaine; replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. in St. Paul; continuing reconstruction of Hwy 97 in Forest Lake; and ongoing construction of the Hwy 169/Hwy 282 interchange in Jordan. This is the final year for several significant multiyear projects, including I-94 in St. Paul (with the John Ireland Blvd. Bridge), I-35W in Burnsville, and I-394/I-94 in Minneapolis.
• On I-94 between Albertville and Monticello, crews will complete expanding the interstate to three lanes and making other improvements. Farther west, crews will replace or repair bridges near Melrose and Sauk Rapids, resurface westbound I-94 west of Highway 79 near Evansville, and complete major interchange improvements at the west junction of I-94 and Highway 210 near Fergus Falls.
• Repaving, constructing roundabouts, and intersection improvements on Hwy 61/London Road in Duluth.
• Reconstructing Hwy 2 between Hwy 194 and Midway Road west of Proctor.
• Beginning a multi-year project on Highway 11 in Warroad that includes resurfacing, plus increasing safety by adding roundabouts and improving pedestrian accessibility at intersections.
• Reconstructing Highway 220 north of East Grand Forks.
• Beginning a two-year project that will reconstruct Hwy 210 in Brainerd, add roundabouts, update the Mississippi River bridge, and make other improvements.
• Improving Hwy 10, Hwy 71, and Hwy 29 in Wadena.
• Completing the 11th Street underpass project in Moorhead. The three-year project includes constructing two underpasses beneath BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalks, utility replacements, and other improvements.

SEE NOW: Several Big Retailers Closing Locations This Year Are Found In Minnesota

Keeping Up With MnDOT Projects In 2026

Minnesota travelers are reminded that there are several online tools available that allow motorists to learn which areas in the state may require additional travel time or detours.

• Visit mndot.gov/construction to learn where you’ll cross paths with construction projects and navigate to project websites to find more detailed information, including planned traffic changes and detour maps.
• Sign up for project email updates to receive project information, including notification of when lanes or roads will close.
• Know before you go – visit https://511mn.org or use the 511 app to get near-real-time travel information.
• Follow MnDOT on social media.

Keeping Everyone In Work Zones Safe

MnDOT reminds motorists to be prepared to encounter traffic changes when approaching work zones, including lane closures, lane shifts, uneven road surfaces, slow-moving heavy equipment, and slow or stopped traffic. To keep everyone safe, drivers must:

• Obey posted speed limits. The fine for speeding in a work zone is $300.
• Drive undistracted. Avoid using cell phones and mobile devices, adjusting the radio, or eating while in work zones.
• Move over. Give workers room to safely complete their work.
• Know before you go. Get real-time information about traffic and road conditions at www.511mn.org or get the free 511mn smartphone app at Google Play or the App Store.
• Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Do the zipper merge.
• Avoid making unnecessary lane changes.
• Never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones.