Two narrow lanes with no shoulders—when a crash happens, backups stretch for miles
Each year, the arrival of Memorial Day signals not just the start of summer but the beginning of a season when human movement and human vulnerability converge on the same roads. This year in Minnesota, that convergence is sharpened by construction projects threading through the state's busiest corridors — on I-94, Highway 5, and I-35W — narrowing the paths through which hundreds of thousands of people will seek rest, reunion, and recreation. No roads will be fully closed, but the margins for error will be thinner, and the consequences of inattention higher, as the state enters what safety officials soberly call its 100 deadliest days.
- Multiple major construction zones are compressing holiday traffic into narrow lanes with no shoulders, leaving little room for error if something goes wrong.
- The I-94 gap project near Monticello is the sharpest chokepoint — two tight lanes in each direction, no shoulders, and limited exits mean a single crash could back up traffic for miles.
- Western suburb travelers face a double disruption: Highway 5 through Victoria is closed until July, and Highway 41 southbound adds further delays for anyone heading to popular weekend destinations.
- Airport-bound drivers and south metro commuters must contend with a narrowed I-94 at the St. Croix River and a two-lane I-35W in Burnsville where the Highway 13 bridge forces head-to-head traffic.
- State officials are responding with increased speeding enforcement and public advisories urging early departure and advance route planning as the 100 deadliest days of summer officially begin.
Memorial Day weekend in Minnesota arrives this year with a familiar tension: more people on the road, and less room to move through it. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has confirmed no full road closures, but several major construction projects will squeeze traffic into tighter corridors at exactly the moment demand peaks.
The most significant bottleneck is the I-94 gap project between Monticello and Albertville, where drivers are funneled into two narrow lanes in each direction with no shoulders and few exits. A single accident in that stretch can trigger miles of backup in minutes. In the western suburbs, Highway 5 through Victoria is closed in both directions until July, cutting off a key westbound route from the Twin Cities. Southbound Highway 41 closures will slow trips to the Arboretum and the Minnetonka lakes, while Highway 12 between Wayzata and Minnetonka is expected to crawl — particularly eastbound on Sunday and Monday as travelers return home.
South metro drivers face their own complications. I-35W in Burnsville has been narrowed to two lanes with no shoulders, and the Highway 13 bridge repaving has created head-to-head traffic conditions. Westbound travelers crossing the St. Croix River on I-94 from Wisconsin should expect lane closures and slowdowns during peak hours.
The stakes extend beyond inconvenience. Memorial Day marks the start of Minnesota's 100 deadliest days on the road — a summer stretch defined by higher speeds, heavier volume, and elevated crash rates. Extra enforcement will be active throughout the weekend. The guidance from MnDOT is simple and serious: plan your route, leave early, and keep your speed in check.
Memorial Day weekend is coming to Minnesota, and the roads are going to be crowded. That much is predictable. What's less obvious is where the construction will actually slow you down—and how much time you should add to your drive.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says there are no complete road shutdowns planned for the holiday weekend, which is the good news. The bad news is that several major projects will funnel traffic into tighter spaces just when more people than usual are trying to move through the state. The I-94 gap project between Monticello and Albertville is the most consequential. Drivers heading that direction will be squeezed into two narrow lanes in each direction with no shoulders and limited exit ramps. When a crash happens—and crashes do happen on busy weekends—backups can form quickly and stretch for miles.
In the western suburbs, Highway 5 through downtown Victoria remains closed in both directions until July, which eliminates a direct route for anyone heading west from the Twin Cities. Southbound Highway 41 also has closures that will make weekend trips to the Arboretum or around the Minnetonka lakes noticeably slower. Highway 12 between Wayzata and Minnetonka is under construction with two lanes open in each direction, and traffic is expected to move sluggishly, especially eastbound on Sunday and Monday when people are returning home.
If you're heading to the airport or traveling through the south metro, I-35W in Burnsville has been narrowed to two lanes with no shoulders. The Highway 13 bridge is being repaved, which means head-to-head traffic as lanes are shared. Drivers crossing the St. Croix River Bridge on I-94 from Wisconsin into Minnesota should expect westbound lane closures and slowdowns during peak travel times, though eastbound traffic into Wisconsin will have three open lanes.
Beyond the construction itself, the timing matters. Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of what Minnesota road safety officials call the 100 deadliest days—a stretch of summer when crash rates climb and travel volume stays high. The state will have extra speeding enforcement in place throughout the holiday weekend. MnDOT is urging drivers to plan their routes in advance, watch for changing traffic patterns, and allow extra time. The message is straightforward: know where you're going, leave early, and pay attention to your speed. The roads will be busy enough without adding risk.
Notable Quotes
MnDOT urges drivers to plan ahead, watch for changing traffic patterns, and allow extra time for their journeys— Minnesota Department of Transportation
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Memorial Day weekend specifically create this problem? Is it just volume, or is there something about the timing?
It's both. You get the holiday travel surge—everyone heading out at the same time—but it also marks the start of summer driving season. Warmer weather, longer days, more people on the road for longer trips. And that's when Minnesota's crash rates historically spike.
The I-94 gap project sounds particularly bad. Two lanes, no shoulders, limited exits. What happens when someone breaks down or there's an accident?
That's exactly the problem. Without shoulders, a disabled vehicle or a fender-bender becomes an instant bottleneck. Traffic backs up fast because there's nowhere for cars to move. Limited exits mean people can't easily get off the highway to find an alternate route.
So the advice is basically to leave earlier and drive slower?
Essentially, yes. But it's more than that. You need to know your route beforehand—not figure it out as you're driving. Highway 5 is closed through Victoria, so if that's normally your way west, you need a different plan. Same with Highway 41 if you're going to the lakes.
Is there a worst time to travel?
Sunday and Monday eastbound, when everyone's heading back. That's when the Highway 12 slowdowns will be most noticeable. If you can travel Friday or Saturday, or wait until Tuesday, you'll have a smoother trip.
What about the speeding enforcement? Is that new?
It happens every year around this time. The state ramps up patrols because the 100 deadliest days are starting. It's not just about tickets—it's about the fact that crashes are more likely during this period, and speed makes them worse.
So this is really about planning ahead?
Completely. There are no full road closures, which means you can get where you're going. But you need to give yourself time and know the landscape. The construction isn't going away for the weekend.