Is rush hr traffic in MSP really bad here. (Minneapolis: neighborhoods, construction)

[lexuses82]

I just came up to Minneapolis for about a week with my sister from Milwaukee. We have noticed over the last several days the traffic here is much worse compared to Milwaukee. We had to do something in downtown Minneapolis and left around 430 and we did not get to Lakeville until an hour and 20 minutes later. We also started driving today from Golden Valley to Prior Lake and that took about 45 minutes to an hour on I-169. Is traffic really this bad here. Traffic here kind of reminds me of what I experienced when I was in the Dallas Metroplex.

[StPaulGal]

There are lots of road closures going on now that are messing up the traffic patterns. It's not usually this bad.

[PeachSalsa]

The geniuses over at MNDOT decided to do road construction on most north/south roads all at the same time. There are many closures and detours.

[Minnesota Spring]

Not usually this bad, but usually worse than Milwaukee. After all there area twice as many people in MSP, so typically more people = more traffic.

[Radical_Car]

I work nights, 10pm-7 am and drive from Maple Grove to New Hope each day. I avoid 169 south in the morning on the weekdays and instead take Boone Ave (the exit right after 169 goes through resident neighborhoods) to Bass Lake Road which is close to where I live. Or else I just go through residential neighborhoods through Maple Grove until I hit 81 then take 81 south until I hit the intersection of 81/Bass Lake Road in Crystal.

So it's bad on 169, but incredibly easy for me to avoid by simply taking the next exit through residential neighborhoods or the alternate route to 81.

[iNviNciBL3]

Over here in Woodbury it has gotten very bad... 5 years ago it was good. but now the traffic is just unacceptable.

its all mostly due to the 94/494/694 interchange... southbound 694 and 94 westbound approaching the interchange you will experience backups during non peak hours.

Its a very high traveled road and it really needs some upgrading. the area is growing fast plus its the main road going to Wisconsin so everyone from the Twin Cities who is going on vacation to Wisconsin has to drive through this area... tomorrow i can imagine its going to be one big clusterf-ck.

[Mplsite]

Just yesterday traffic was stuck for blocks on Larpenteur around Snelling: I just biked by all of it in the bike lane. And with a reverse commute to Downtown Minneapolis I can't say traffic is an issue. Guess some people love to sit in their cars all day, but whatever floats your boat.

[WoodburyWoody]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Over here in Woodbury it has gotten very bad... 5 years ago it was good. but now the traffic is just unacceptable.

its all mostly due to the 94/494/694 interchange... southbound 694 and 94 westbound approaching the interchange you will experience backups during non peak hours.

Its a very high traveled road and it really needs some upgrading. the area is growing fast plus its the main road going to Wisconsin so everyone from the Twin Cities who is going on vacation to Wisconsin has to drive through this area... tomorrow i can imagine its going to be one big clusterf-ck.

The St. Croix bridge (highway 36) is due to open in Fall 2016, which will alleviate things a bit. But traffic in the seven-county metro is only going to increase over the next 25 years, so that looks to be short-lived.

But, I agree. I avoid the 94/494/694 interchange during rush hours. When I do tough, there is often standing traffic closing an entire lane well before the exit ramp on a regular basis. The amount of traffic has increased quite a bit over the past five years, but the real issue is the HORRIBLE merge design that is so freakin' common on Minnesota interstate interchanges - merge lanes need to be more than 100 yards. That really bottle-necks traffic.

[Dakota Gold]

Originally Posted by WoodburyWoody

The St. Croix bridge (highway 36) is due to open in Fall 2016, which will alleviate things a bit. But traffic in the seven-county metro is only going to increase over the next 25 years, so that looks to be short-lived.

But, I agree. I avoid the 94/494/694 interchange during rush hours. When I do tough, there is often standing traffic closing an entire lane well before the exit ramp on a regular basis. The amount of traffic has increased quite a bit over the past five years, but the real issue is the HORRIBLE merge design that is so freakin' common on Minnesota interstate interchanges - merge lanes need to be more than 100 yards. That really bottle-necks traffic.

I so agree with you Woody. Lived in Woodbury for eight years, Moved to Vadnais heights six years ago.
But have to drive to Hudson for the grandkids sports during rush hour. What a night mare .
They need a up and over bridge like coming south on 35E to go east on 694. Much more an easier flow.

[pete6032]

Yes, Milwaukee has some of the lowest levels of traffic of any major metro area. The commute here in MSP is much worse.