Three-year I-94 Gap Project construction begins July 22

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the start of the three-year expansion of Interstate 94 between Albertville and Monticello, known as the I-94 Gap Project, will begin on July 22. During construction this year crews will prepare the work zone, which includes temporary lane widening and median crossovers.

Motorists will encounter periodic lane closures on both directions of I-94 through fall 2024. The lane closures will occur during off-peak hours, mainly overnights.

Major construction will take place spring 2025 to fall 2026. Overall, I-94 will remain open to two lanes, each direction, on one side of the interstate as crews construct the adjacent side.

The project will improve and expand I-94 to six lanes, three in each direction, to close the gap between Albertville and in Monticello.

On July 22, crews will saw cut segments of road surface. Saw cutting will be one of the louder noises heard along I-94. The operation is necessary and the contractor hopes it will take only one night.

The project includes: reconstructing the road surface, adding a third westbound lane from Wright County Road 37 in Albertville to west of Highway 25 in Monticello, adding a third eastbound lane from west of Highway 25 in Monticello to County Road 19 in Albertville, replacing the westbound bridge over County Road 19 in Albertville, Widening the westbound bridge over County Road 75 in Monticello, replacing or repairing underground drainage infrastructures and installing two noise walls along I-94 in the Monticello area.

When all lanes open in fall 2026, the project will provide a smoother ride, extend the life of interstate, improve freight access, increase capacity and reduce bottle necks, address area growth and improve motorist safety along I-94.

For more information and to sign-up for construction email updates, visit the I-94 Gap project web page at mndot.gov/d3/projects/i94gap/. For current road conditions on I-94 across Minnesota, visit 511mn.org.