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…