Hopkins commuters should take note of traffic impacts expected on Excelsior Boulevard beginning April 5.Southwest LRT crews are beginning the reconstruction of 8th Avenue South and the Excelsior Boulevard intersection in April. To minimize traffic impacts, the reconstruction of 8th Avenue South and Excelsior Boulevard will be done in stages. It is anticipated that the reconstruction work will take approximately 8 weeks while crews complete related utility, LRT guideway, and roadway work. The tentative schedule is as follows:
- Phase 1 (April 5 to Early May): 8th Avenue South closed south of Excelsior Boulevard.
- Phase 2 (April 5 to Mid-May): Excelsior Boulevard closed to eastbound traffic between 11th Avenue South and 5th Avenue South (see detour map).
- Phase 3 (Mid-May to Early June): Excelsior Boulevard closed to westbound traffic between 5th Avenue South and 11th Avenue South.
Other important tentative traffic notices:
- Week of April 12: Blake Road northbound traffic will be shifted to weave into southbound lanes at the rail crossing. Southbound traffic will be detoured down 2nd Street NE while the pedestrian tunnel work is being completed.
- Week of April 12: Excelsior Boulevard rail crossing bridge work is scheduled to resume this spring, creating a complete closure of the westbound lanes. This closure is anticipated to last for 12 weeks. As work progresses, eastbound traffic and side streets may be impacted as well.
View the Hopkins detour map here, or find more project details by visiting the Southwest LRT website here.