BAXTER, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation today announced more than 200 road and bridge projects planned for the 2026 construction season, along with 51 additional projects to improve airports, water ports, railroad crossings and transit systems across the state. These investments will improve safety and mobility, maintain and modernize Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure, and support jobs throughout the state. As construction activity increases, travelers should plan for slower speeds, possible delays and detours throughout the summer.

“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. “In every work zone there are people working hard to keep you safe – help keep them safe too. Slow down when navigating work zones, put away every distraction, and work to keep everyone safe. We’re all in the work zone together.”

More information about safe driving around construction work zones can be found on our MnDOT Work Zone Safety website.

2026 Minnesota road construction planning and travel tools

Minnesota travelers can use several online tools to plan ahead and learn about work zones that may require extra time or alternate routes:

• For information about central Minnesota construction projects, plans and studies, visit mndot.gov/d3/projects/. The page includes links to more detailed project websites, project maps and other helpful information.
• Visit mndot.gov/construction to learn where you’ll cross paths with construction projects statewide 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 511mn.org or use the 511 app to get near-real-time travel information.
• Follow MnDOT on social media.

Significant projects in central Minnesota

• Continue the multi-year project to expand and improve Hwy 10, Hwy 71 and Hwy 29 in Wadena.
• Resurface and improve access and safety with new turn lanes and roundabouts on Hwy 25 from Buffalo to Monticello.
• On I-94 between Albertville and Monticello, complete the final year project to expand the interstate to three lanes and make other improvements. Farther west, crews will replace or repair I-94 bridges between Melrose and Sauk Centre.
• Begin a two-year project to reconstruct and improve Hwy 95 in Cambridge.
• Resurface and improve five miles of Hwy 169 in Garrison; includes a roundabout at Highway 18, storm sewer and sidewalk.
• Begin a two-year project that will reconstruct Hwy 210 in Brainerd, add roundabouts, update the Mississippi River bridge and make other improvements.

Significant projects statewide

• In the Twin Cities metro area, resurface Hwy 280 in St. Paul, Roseville and Lauderdale and repair ramps and bridges; reconstruct Hwy 12 in Wayzata and Minnetonka; begin a four-year project to build four interchanges along Hwy 65 in Blaine; replace the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. in St. Paul; continue 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 a number of 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.
• 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.
• Repave, construct roundabouts and improve intersections on Hwy 61/London Road in Duluth.
• Reconstruct Hwy 2 between Hwy 194 and Midway Road west of Proctor.
• Complete a multi-year project on Highway 11 in Warroad that includes replacement of the Warroad River Bridge.
• Begin a multi-year reconstruction project on Highway 197 in Bemidji that includes roundabouts and improvements to pedestrian accessibility at intersections.
• Reconstruct Highway 220 north of East Grand Forks.
• Complete the 11th Street underpass project in Moorhead. The three-year project includes two underpasses beneath BNSF rail lines, paving, sidewalks, utility replacements and other improvements.

Safety in work zones

Motorists should always 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.