It's been a long time coming, and commuters are thankful that the interchange between Highway 169 and Interstate 494, which has been two years in the making, is finally finished.
Crews plan to complete the last few tasks before fully opening the interchange at midnight, and that means motorists who have been sitting in construction are now getting will soon get a holiday surprise.
"By tomorrow, you should be traveling in your permanent configuration heading through that stretch," said Kerstin Klein, with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
The new interchange is nothing like what drivers in the area have been used to. In fact, if you're not paying attention, it'll seem like you're driving in circles -- and for good reason. There are six roundabouts on the frontage roads surrounding the interchange.
The West 78th Street frontage road was reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, which links up with many of the roundabouts.
A bird's eye view shows the new traffic patterns now that the barriers along westbound I-494 are a thing of the past, allowing traffic direct access to the northbound and southbound flyways to 169. So far, traffic appears to be flowing smoothly through what has been one of the worst bottlenecks in the metro.
Drivers could still see crews in the area as the finishing touches are put on the landscaping in the area.
"They still will work on some of the culverts that they are still putting in that area," Klein said. "There may still be some work on curbs."
The project cost $124 million, and was completed exactly on time. MnDOT likes to have all of its major construction projects end on or before Thanksgiving, marking the traditional end to the construction season.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z." Pitt stunned the crowd at the Clearview Cinemas when he walked in just before the start of the special screening.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Thursday, May 23 2013 5:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 09:40:39 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:46:23 GMT
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
The New York City Police Department says it is beefing up security at the British consulate, military recruiting stations and other locations due to an apparent terror attack in London.
