I-94 road work

[floating minnow]

Hi guys

With the work being done at Rodgers I'm looking at trying another route on my weekly drive to Otter Tail lake.I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the traffic is as bad as I picture it in my mind.I live in St. Louis Park so I am thinking of trying Hwy.55 to Buffalo then heading N. to catch 94 at Monticello.Can anyone tell me if this a good idea or is traffic and contruction a issue on this route also? Thanks for any help.

[IndyEFI500]

One of the guys I work with went out to our site in Buffalo the other day. He took 94 out and 55 back. 94 was bad but there is also a detour near Buffalo on 55. Didn't ask where but I would try one of the tv or radio sites and check on traffic. They might list where all the current detours are. Unfortunately you may have to grin and bear it. Rememnber, Minnesota has two seasons, winter and road construction.

[PerchJerker]

If you take 55 don't go as far as Buffalo - lots of extra time/miles if you go that way. Try taking 55 to Rockford, then go north to St. Michael and then Annandale and get on 94 there. I'm not sure it's going to save you any time, and you're sure not going to have the road to yourself, but at least you won't be sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.

[fishlakeman]

I live in Maple Grove and also drive up to Otter Tail frequently, and sadly there isn't any secrets as far as backroads to get past the congestion. I'd just bite the bullet and stick to 94. I would reccommend trying to get out of you place at a non peak time. On Friday, before 12:00 or after 8:00 I leave at 10:00 at night a lot just so I don't have to deal with the traffic. I'd say if you left at 4, you'd make it to OT by 7:30-8:00 from Maple Grove. If you leave at 8, you'd make it by 10:45. So I guess it's all what you willing to deal with as far as traffic. The bridge work does slow things down ALOT! I drove it today around 2, and it took me 15 min to go 3 miles to the Rogers exit.

Oh yea, I take the Brandon exit off of 94 to OT, go through Evansville, and take it all the way to 78. This seems to cut about 10 min off the drive, and lake Christina looks a lot better from the south compared to the north. Beautiful Drive!

[fishinchicks]

You can also check out the DOT HSOforum. They have all of the construction areas listed for the state. Fairly easy to navigate, as well.

[Mark Christianson]

I drive from Maple Grove to Big Lake every day for work.

The best way is home is................. Stay at work late, or leave real early.

The back ways stink too.

I say no more building permits in the dang metro until they get some arteries built to support the flippin demand.

Ok, I don't feel any better....

[Muskieguy]

I will be heading to Leech Lake Sunday Morning around 8AM. Would it be worth finding a alternate route or will the traffic at that time be light throught the construction zone?

thanks,

Muskieguy......

[Bagley]

If you can get to Rogers before the back up starts. Exit and go north on State 101. Go to the second stoplight, I believe this is 45 St. N.E. Take a left there. After you are on that for about 1 1/2 miles there will be the on ramp to 94 again. You get back on 94 just past the crow river where the construction is.

I work in St. Michael and this the way I've been going. It doesn't take much extra time.

Just a suggestion.

Bagley

[cheektowaga]

I live in Mpls and work in Albertville and take the above poster's route, exit Rogers to 101 north and take a left on hwy 36 stoplight. Takes you just past the crow river constr and back onto 94. Problem is if you leave at 5pm Friday it'll take you forever to get to Rogers even. My old standby used to be 81 from Broolyn Center (or park?) all the way into Rogers then follow the above route.

Personally, I'd leave either real late or real early.

[STMA_I_HUNTER]

I live in St. Michal and there is no good way that everbody and their brothers are not using already. I have not taken 94 around the evening rush because from the "backroads" you can see how bad the traffic is. Tuesday afterwork 101 from 94 to cty 36 took about 30 min and it was only about 4 miles. Wednesday night at 10:30 pm not a lick of traffic.

Good luck finding a good route, and if you do don't share it otherwise it won't be a good route for long.

[Hoyter]

My suggestion would be to go west first, then north. Try Hwy. 12 all the way to Litchfield. Then go north on MN22 to 55. Go west on 55 to MN4 (a couple miles west of Paynesville). Go north on 4 to 94. You will be getting on 94 about 4 miles east of Sauk Center. There are some slow downs going this way due to small towns and a few slow drivers but at least you'll be moving.

I live in Chaska and have a cabin on Osakis. I use most of the route above most weekends in the summer. It takes me about 2.5 hours to go 135 miles no matter what time I leave on Friday afternoon. It sure beats parking on 494/94 for a couple hours!

[Shorelunch]

Hwy 55 west of 101 to Cty 19 gets really bogged down during rush hour but I imagine it can't be as bad as I94. It was about 5-10 mph going out to Lake Independence the other night at 5:30pm from Medina (101).

[not_nuf_time]

I live in Rogers and work or drive the west metro daily and I agree quit with the housing till roads are in order. But to get up north like the man said go west far, then north, it will be faster its nasty at all the stops on the back roads, thier usually five to ten cars deep. Recently the stop signs are sometimes five miles backed up just at side road intersections. If going towards Mille Lacs direction I would go up 65 not 47. Cause lot of the St,Cloud traffic is going through Anoka and hwy 10. 55 to hwy 24 to clearwater an option. Only another week it should be done.

[floating minnow]

Thanks for all the help guys.I think I might try west then north,however on the way home from work a traffic reporter said "they have opened up a second lane going west at Rodgers as they promised".Not sure what that means exactly since I thought it was going to be a single lane through the duration of the project.I'll check that out.Thanks again.

Fishlakeman,I also get off 94 at Brandon because the ride is more scenic and Christina is a interesting lake.There are a few more birds on it this year compared to the last few.This route is 5-6 miles shorter to Battle Lake but takes me about the same amount of time because of lower speeds.I'd like to be on the lake by Friday night by 10 pm.Take care.

[snowman678]

They opened a 2nd westbound lane last night (the lanes are narrow, but traffic was moving smoothly last night). I live in Big Lake & work in Rogers. I've tried every combo of back roads this week and just being patient on the interstate was faster than any of them since everyone and their brother were on the back roads. I heard on the radio this morning that they will be opening a 2nd eastbound lane tonight, thank god.