MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Parts of Park and Portland Avenues in Minneapolis will close separately two consecutive weekends while crews prepare for major roadwork on Interstate 35W. Starting in mid-June, access in and out of downtown to and from I-35W will be closed for the summer.

Metro Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority will use Park Avenue and Portland Avenue during peak travel times, in the morning and afternoon, as an alternative route for its express buses to go in and out of downtown. To prioritize bus traffic during the I-35W at I-94 construction project, Park Avenue and Portland Avenue will be restriped for a bus-only lane during rush hour and general traffic during other times.

The restriping requires two full closures: Park Avenue will close at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27 through 5 a.m. on Monday, April 30 from Lake Street to 14th Street.

Portland Avenue will close at 7 p.m. Friday, May 4 through 5 a.m. Monday, May 7 from 15th Street to 31st Street. The detour is Chicago Avenue during both weekend closures. No parking will be allowed on Park and Portland during the closures.

People who live along Park and Portland will hear construction noise that could include some nighttime work. These closures are weather permitting. This work is part of the I-35W at I-94 Downtown to Crosstown project that is reconstructing I-35W from 43rd Street to I-94 in Minneapolis. It is expected to be complete in 2021.