Lane closures planned on I-35W for dike building

With major flooding expected in the next couple of days, officials will close lanes on northbound Interstate 35-W in Burnsville at 8:30 p.m. Thursday while crews construct a temporary dike on the east side of the freeway.

The roadway will be reduced to a single lane through 2:30 a.m. Friday between Cliff Road and Black Dog Road.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the exit to Black Dog Road from northbound 35W will close at 8:30 p.m. and remain closed until high water on the Minnesota River recedes.

MnDOT says motorists will also experience delays on eastbound Highway 101 in Savage overnight as crews construct a temporary barrier to protect it from the rising Minnesota River.

Officials earlier closed the Highway 101 and Highway 41 bridges at Shakopee and Jordan, respectively, cutting off two busy commuter routes.

ST. PAUL

St. Paul police are clearing the city's impound lot in anticipation of the floods.

More than 550 cars are being moved from the lot on Barge Channel Road about 10 miles away to the St. Paul Police Snow Lot on Cathlin Avenue.

The process is expected to take at least two days. Beginning Friday morning, all impounded vehicles will be towed to the alternative lot as well.

Police are encouraging anyone whose car was towed to call ahead to find out where to pick it up. The phone numbers are 651-266-5642 or 651-292-6005.

STILLWATER

Stillwater is now going ahead with dikes on its St. Croix River waterfront.

Officials planned to start work Thursday morning, then held off pending a firmer forecast. Police Chief John Gannaway says the National Weather Service now projects a first crest slightly above 687 feet, about a foot higher than expected earlier in the day.

So the city now plans to start Friday on a "modified levee" at just the lowest elevations of the originally planned dike, at the very south and north ends. The work should be finished by this weekend.

The weather service reiterated to city officials that Stillwater is not out of the woods. The melt north of Stillwater has not been completed, and the city could see more flooding, including a second crest, later on.