I-35E bridge replacement over Shepard Road begins Monday, April 13 in St. Paul

ROSEVILLE, Minn. —Replacement of the aging Interstate 35E bridge spanning Shepard Road in St. Paul will begin at 7 a.m. on Monday morning, April 13, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. As work begins, MnDOT will close Shepard Road at I-35E. Westbound Shepard Rd. will be closed between Lexington Parkway and Otto Avenue west of the interstate. At the same time, eastbound Shepard Rd. will close between Lexington Pkwy. and the northbound I-35E ramp east of I-35E. The closures will remain through fall. During the closures, traffic will be detoured on Lexington Pkwy., West 7th St., and Otto Ave.

The ramp from northbound I-35E to Shepard Rd. will remain open along with eastbound Shepard Rd. (east of the interstate).

As work begins, MnDOT will build a temporary embankment along the west side of the existing bridge by piling soil on top of Shepard Rd. and build a paved bypass to reroute I-35E traffic. Once the bypass is built and traffic is shifted, the old bridge will be demolished. The bypass will allow for smooth traffic flow and will minimize impacts on the interstate during construction. Work on the new bridge is expected to be completed later this fall. Additional concrete repairs will be made on the I-35E Mississippi River bridge next year to provide a smoother driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.

MnDOT is replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd., which is near the end of its service life. Replacing the bridge will save money that is being spent on repairs and other maintenance in addition to providing a new, modern structure that will provide safe transportation for motorists for many years.

For more information, visit the I-35E and Shepard Road project webpage.

###