Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

News releases

June 20, 2024

Latest news releases

Hwy 51/Snelling Avenue full closure extended to early July between Ford Parkway and Montreal Avenue in St. Paul

ROSEVILLE, Minn. – Rainy weather and utility relocation have led to a delay in reopening a half-mile stretch of Highway 51/Snelling Ave. between Ford Pkwy. and Montreal Ave. in St. Paul. With the delays, the Minnesota Department of Transportation now expects to reopen the stretch of roadway in early July, before the July 4 holiday.

Crews closed Snelling Ave. early Mon, June 17, in both directions between Montreal Ave. and Ford Pkwy. and it was originally going to reopen Friday evening, June 21. During the extended closure, access will be maintained to all homes along the west side of Snelling Ave. Traffic also will continue to detour on Montreal Ave., Fairview Ave. and Ford Pkwy. and the truck detour will remain on Montreal Ave., St. Paul Ave. and Cleveland Ave.

Additional traffic restrictions will not begin until after the July 4 holiday. At that time, Snelling Ave. will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the northbound side of the highway in the same location for work on the east side of Snelling Ave. Single lane traffic will last through mid-July. Truck traffic will not be allowed through the area and trucks will detour on Montreal Ave., St. Paul Ave. and Cleveland Ave.

Additional traffic restrictions will begin in mid-to-late July so watch for updates.

All timeframes are approximate, subject to change, and weather and schedule dependent.

Crews are redesigning a half-mile section of Highway 51/Snelling Ave. from four lanes to two-lanes between Ford Pkwy. and Montreal Ave. in St. Paul. Work began in mid-June of 2024. This traffic safety project includes installing a center median with dedicated left turn lanes at the median breaks, removing parking along Snelling Ave. and constructing a new 10-foot-wide multi-use trail along the east side of Snelling Ave. and replacing the signal at Montreal Ave. and Snelling Ave. Work is expected to be complete by late August.

For more information, and to sign up for email updates, visit the Highway 51/Snelling Avenue St. Paul webpage.

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