Burnsville's I-35W Is Getting an $80 Million Makeover
TLDR
MnDOT is resurfacing I-35W between Cliff Road and the Burnsville Split and replacing three bridges
The project costs an estimated $80 million and runs from April 2025 through fall 2026
Cliff Road under I-35W is closed through October 2026
Expect lane reductions, ramp closures, and detours for the foreseeable future
A full weekend closure of I-35W in both directions is coming May 1-4
If you commute through Burnsville on I-35W, you've probably already noticed things are a little different. That's because MnDOT just kicked off one of the biggest road projects in the South Metro right now, and it's going to reshape your drive for the next year and a half.
Here's the deal. MnDOT is resurfacing I-35W between Cliff Road and the I-35/35W/35E split (a.k.a. the Burnsville Split). They're replacing both pavement and concrete, repairing or replacing the bridges at Cliff Road, Highway 13, and Burnsville Parkway, updating guardrail, and improving drainage. All for a cool $80 million.
The project is a partnership between MnDOT, the City of Burnsville, and Dakota County. Construction started in April 2025 and is expected to wrap up by fall 2026.
What's Closed Right Now
This is the part that matters most for your daily life.
Cliff Road under I-35W is fully closed through October. If you use Cliff Road to cross I-35W, you're going to need a detour. From the west side, that means taking 123rd St. West to Dupont Ave. to 126th St. to County Road 5 to Highway 13 to Nicollet Ave. to Cliff Road. From the east side, it's basically the reverse.
Northbound I-35W is down to two lanes between the Burnsville Split and Burnsville Parkway. Southbound I-35W is also down to two lanes at Cliff Road. So yeah, build in some extra time.
The ramp from Cliff Road to southbound I-35W is also closed through the fall. If you normally hop on southbound I-35W from Cliff Road on the west side, your detour runs through Dupont Ave., 126th St., County Road 5, and eastbound Highway 13 to get back on. From the east side, you'll take Cliff Road to northbound I-35W to the Black Dog Road interchange and then loop back southbound.
One permanent change to flag: the way you get to eastbound County Road 42 from southbound I-35W has changed for good. You'll now use the newly built ramp at Buck Hill Road.
What's Coming Next
Buckle up, because more closures are on the way.
Starting today (April 13), Highway 13 is down to one lane in both directions between Nicollet Ave. and I-35W through April 24. Then starting April 24, Highway 13 will go to head-to-head traffic (one lane in each direction) over I-35W through the fall.
The ramp from Burnsville Parkway to northbound I-35W is closed right now through April 28. And starting April 24, the ramp from eastbound Highway 13 to northbound I-35W and the ramp from southbound I-35W to eastbound Highway 13 are both closing through the fall.
The big one: I-35W is closing in both directions between I-494 and the Burnsville Split from 9 p.m. Friday, May 1 through 5 a.m. Monday, May 4. The detour sends you over to I-35, I-35E, Highway 77, and I-494. Plan around that weekend if you can.
In early May, the northbound I-35W ramp to Cliff Road closes through fall, and southbound I-35W drops to two lanes between Cliff Road and the Burnsville Split.
Bus Riders, This Affects You Too
It's not just cars. MVTA has flagged that several bus routes are being impacted. The Burnsville Parkway bridge closure is rerouting Route 444, and the Orange LINK could see delays from the Cliff Road closure. The 4FUN Bus and Routes 460, 465, 480, and 495 are all dealing with timing delays from the Highway 13 lane restrictions. If you ride MVTA, check their site or call 952-882-7500 for the latest.
Why They're Doing This
Look, nobody loves road construction. But this stretch of I-35W genuinely needs the work. The project will give us a smoother road surface, improved drainage, rebuilt bridges, updated guardrails, and pavement that'll last significantly longer. The City of Burnsville's Cliff Corridor Study also informed the interchange design, incorporating feedback from over 160 residents and 120 local businesses.
It's also worth noting this isn't the only major road project in our area. The I-494 project between Edina and Richfield and the Highway 13 project from Savage to Burnsville are both nearby. If you're crisscrossing the South Metro, it's worth knowing about all three.
The Bottom Line
This is a big project, and it's going to be disruptive. But it's also the kind of investment that makes a real difference in the long run. For now, the best thing you can do is plan ahead, check 511mn.org for real-time traffic info before you leave, and maybe find a podcast to enjoy during the longer commute.
You can sign up for MnDOT's email updates on this project to stay on top of new closures as they're announced. We'll keep covering this one as it develops too.
I'll see ya out there.
FAQ
Is I-35W completely closed right now? Not yet. Right now it's lane reductions, not a full closure. But a full weekend closure in both directions is coming May 1-4 between I-494 and the Burnsville Split.
How long is Cliff Road going to be closed? Cliff Road under I-35W is closed through October 2026. That's a long one, so get used to the detour routes.
How much is this project costing? The estimated cost is $80 million. MnDOT is leading the project in coordination with the City of Burnsville and Dakota County.
Will my bus route be affected? Probably. MVTA has confirmed that Routes 444, 460, 465, 480, 495, the 4FUN Bus, and the Orange LINK are all experiencing some level of impact. Check mvta.com for the most current route info.
When will this all be done? MnDOT is targeting fall 2026 for completion, though all schedules are weather dependent and could shift.
