It’s almost over.

After spring, summer and fall saw many road projects on state roads, construction is starting to wind down.

Major bridge construction, new interchanges and road resurfacing were a big part of the 2013 construction season, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Perhaps the most significant project for southern Minnesota residents has been work on Interstate 35 between Elko and Eagan, which has caused lane closures and delays in and out of the Twin Cities. Work is nearing completion for 2013.

This year’s program included more than 300 projects around the state with a construction cost of more than $1.1 billion.

The 2013 construction program included work on 87 highway and bridge projects in the Twin Cities and 193 highway and bridge projects in Greater Minnesota. An additional 57 projects statewide focused on improving safety at railroad crossings, repairing seawalls and docks, improving runways and terminals at regional airports, and improving transit centers.

“We started this season with more than 300 projects on the schedule,” said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle in a press release. “Many of the projects are now complete. The work is providing safer, smoother roadways and is maintaining the transportation network that is so vital to our state’s economy and quality of life.”

 

Some of the state’s 2013 road projects

• Highway 52 Cannon Falls Interchange — The two-year project began this year and is scheduled to be complete at the end of 2014. This project includes building an interchange in Cannon Falls and removing the final two traffic signals on Highway 52 between Rochester and the Twin Cities. Construction cost: $14.3 million.

• I-35/35E Elko to Eagan — Work is nearing completion on a series of projects along this corridor, which included resurfacing repairs and upgrades from County Road 2 in Elko to Cliff Road in Eagan and painting bridges along I-35W. The project will be finished in 2014. Construction cost: $20 million.

• Interstate 694 in Arden Hills — Major reconstruction of the I-694/Highway 10 interchange at Snelling Avenue/Highway 51 and Hamline Avenue will be complete by late November. The two-year project is one of nine planned for the I-694 north central area. Work included reconstructing surrounding highways, rebuilding bridges in the corridor, separating two high-volume roadways, all of which will improve safety and mobility for motorists. Construction cost: $48 million.

• Highway 169 and County Road 30 Interchange — Completed in late October, this project removed the existing traffic signal at Highway 169 and County Road 30 intersection and constructed a new interchange to improve safety and help alleviate congestion on Highway 169 between Shakopee and Champlin. Construction cost: $8.2 million.

• Highway 52/Lafayette Bridge — The new northbound Highway 52/Lafayette Bridge will be completed at the end of 2013, at which time traffic will be switched to the new northbound bridge. The existing Highway 52/Lafayette Bridge will be demolished, and the new southbound Highway 52 Bridge will be constructed in 2014. Construction cost: $130.4 million.

• Hastings Bridge over the Mississippi River — The project, which began in 2010, is scheduled to have all four lanes open to traffic in November, which will enhance mobility and safety for the region. Project completion is set for 2014. Construction cost: $130 million.

For Minnesota statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on towww.mndot.gov.

For a complete list of 2013 projects and their status, see www.mndot.gov/roadwork/current.html; and for studies and plans for possible future projects, visit www.mndot.gov/roadwork/future.html.