Traffic in the Morning in Minneapolis? (St. Paul, Circle Pines: how much, construction, live)

[Sarahsch]

I am moving into Circle Pines next weekend but am going to be working in downtown Minneapolis. I have to be to work around 9am. I am familiar with the twin cities as I have lived in MN all of my life and have been to the twin cities hundreds of times, but am not sure about the congestion of traffic in the morning. Can anyone tell me about how much time I should allot myself in the morning to get to work?

I will not have to find somewhere to park as I have a parking ramp once I get to work for employee parking, but I suppose I would have to consider the fact that other employees would be getting to work the same time as me and I have to then walk a skyway, elevators etc..

But if someone could give me a timeframe on morning traffic that would be of GREAT help. Also, how does the metrotransit bus work? Is it even worth considering for the winter time or would it be easier for me to just drive myself? Do the buses really run on schedule or not really?

Thanks for the help!

Sarah

[yoyoma02]

Um… I’m not sure where Circle Pines is, but it sounds far away from downtown.

With that being said, traffic in Minneapolis is pretty terrible overall. There is always road construction and MNDot is about 10 years too late on construction projects. I’m being a little dramatic, but seriously, I think the traffic in this city is ridiculous for the size of the metro.

The worst areas that I know of:
394, 35 & 494 areas, 62 & 35W aka “the commons area”
94 West, heading toward St Cloud is a nightmare between 5pm – 7pm
280 to 94 can be hit or miss

I don’t know much about the St. Paul side of things.

The bus system works pretty slick. If you have paid for parking by your company, I’d stick with the free parking for convenience. But it definitely would be cheaper to bus.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

It looks like the obvious route would be taking 35W all the way downtown. I don't commute that way and really have no idea how congested it has gotten coming from that way but you might want to give yourself 45 minutes just to be safe.

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Sarahsch

I am moving into Circle Pines next weekend but am going to be working in downtown Minneapolis. I have to be to work around 9am. I am familiar with the twin cities as I have lived in MN all of my life and have been to the twin cities hundreds of times, but am not sure about the congestion of traffic in the morning. Can anyone tell me about how much time I should allot myself in the morning to get to work?

I will not have to find somewhere to park as I have a parking ramp once I get to work for employee parking, but I suppose I would have to consider the fact that other employees would be getting to work the same time as me and I have to then walk a skyway, elevators etc..

But if someone could give me a timeframe on morning traffic that would be of GREAT help. Also, how does the metrotransit bus work? Is it even worth considering for the winter time or would it be easier for me to just drive myself? Do the buses really run on schedule or not really?

Thanks for the help!

Sarah

Traffic down 35W at that time actually starts thinning out after 8:15 or so. I frequently drive in from near 85th Ave and 35W to near 4th St and 2nd Ave to make a 9:00 am meeting and try to leave by 8:15 and often make it downtown no later than 8:40.

My wife uses the park & ride at 95th ave and loves the hassle free commute. The busses use the shoulders most of the way and fly right by the congested areas. Personally, if I still worked downtown and was offered free parking I would continue to drive myself.

[marmac]

The fact you have to be at work around 9 will be a big help.

I had 4 dental appoimtments at the Uof M last month ( arrived there from St Cloud I94 ) and didn't think it was that bad.

From 7-8 is a lot worse.