Highway 280 Shuts Down for Months in Major Minnesota Roadwork Overhaul

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will close Highway 280 in both directions from April 13 to late August 2023. The shutdown, between I-94 in St. Paul and I-35W in Roseville, is part of a wider £1.5 billion roadwork programme across the state this year. Drivers are being urged to plan ahead as the busy route sees between 40,000 and 60,000 vehicles daily. The full closure will let crews resurface worn pavement and repair bridges and ramps in a single construction season. MnDOT says working without traffic improves safety and speeds up the project. It forms one of over 200 roadworks planned for 2023, with other major schemes including Highway 12 reconstruction, new interchanges on Highway 65, and the I-35E bridge replacement over Shepard Road.

Local businesses along the corridor are already feeling uneasy. Anna Hultgren, who runs Carpe Diem Studio on Como Avenue, fears the closure could reduce foot traffic and slow trade. Twin Cities resident Dan Gouge has also raised concerns about the impact on small firms relying on passing customers.

MnDOT is advising motorists to check the 511 website or app for live updates on delays and diversions. They also remind drivers to stick to speed limits and avoid distractions while navigating alternative routes. No specific figures exist on how many vehicles will switch to other roads during the shutdown or which routes may face the most congestion.

Several long-term projects, including works on Interstate 94, Interstate 35W, and the Interstate 394/Interstate 94 corridor, are set to finish this year. But with no clear data on traffic redistribution, businesses and commuters face months of uncertainty. The Highway 280 closure runs from mid-April until late August, with no reopening date yet confirmed. MnDOT's £1.5 billion programme aims to upgrade key routes, but the shutdown will test the resilience of local firms and drivers. Real-time updates via the 511 service will remain the main source of information for those affected.