A key riverfront corridor in St. Paul is set to close for months as part of an $18 million state project to replace aging infrastructure along Interstate 35E.

Beginning April 20, Shepard Road will be closed between Lexington Parkway and Otto Avenue, including the southbound I-35E entrance ramp, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation begins work to replace the I-35E bridge spanning the roadway.

The closure, expected to last through the 2026 construction season, will significantly affect traffic patterns along the Mississippi River corridor, a major route for commuters, industrial traffic and access to downtown St. Paul.

Transportation officials say the bridge replacement is necessary because the existing structure has reached the end of its service life. The project also includes repairs to the I-35E Mississippi River bridge and nearby concrete pavement, with work continuing into 2027.

To minimize disruptions on the interstate, MnDOT plans to construct a temporary embankment allowing I-35E traffic to continue flowing during construction. However, the tradeoff is a full seasonal closure of Shepard Road in the project area.

Impacts include full closures of both eastbound and westbound Shepard Road between Lexington Parkway and Otto Avenue, as well as temporary ramp and lane closures on I-35E. Pedestrian and trail access along Shepard Road will remain open.

City and state officials say the long-term benefits include improved safety, smoother driving surfaces and extended lifespan for critical infrastructure serving St. Paul’s downtown and West 7th areas.

The project is scheduled to run through fall 2027.Learn more: dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i35estpaul-lilydale/index.html