Originally published in the Park Bugle, August 2025.
At its June meeting, the SAPCC Transportation Committee heard from MnDOT’s Chris Bower about plans for construction on Highway 280 from April through fall 2026. During the construction those months, the highway will be completely closed, except during the State Fair.
The construction will improve the pavement and drainage on the highway and do preventive maintenance on all of the bridges along the roadway. The merge from Minneapolis on I-94 to northbound 280 will be limited to one lane, so that drivers merging from Saint Paul on I-94 will no longer have to merge with left-lane traffic. No traffic signals will be added at the Energy Park Drive off ramps, but the intersection visibility will be improved.
During the construction, about 50 trees that are located over drainage pipes or up against bridge abutments will have to be removed. It appears that the trees would mostly be considered weed trees that have grown up over time, rather than purposefully planted trees.
To find out more and sign up for email updates on the project, search MnDOT 280 and select the page called “Hwy 280 St. Paul to Roseville Project – MnDOT.”
Reminder of Speed Limits
As we go through summer and fall, remember that our city speed limits are 20 mph on all side streets, and most of the streets with traffic signals in Bugleland are 25 mph: Como, Raymond, Cleveland. Only the largest streets, like University or Larpenteur Avenues, are higher than that (30 or 35 mph).
Our neighbors are out and about on foot or on bikes – so slow down! It saves almost no time to speed, and it endangers you and everyone around you. When more of us drive the speed limit, it creates rolling traffic calming.
Interested in local transportation issues or street safety? The SAPCC Transportation Committee meets the last Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome – visit sapcc.org/ to join the conversation.