Highway 77 Construction Is Here: What Apple Valley and Eagan Drivers Need to Know
If you drive Cedar Avenue, listen up. MnDOT started a big project on Highway 77 in July 2026. It runs all the way through November 2028. That's more than two years of cones, closures, and detours.
The short version? They're repaving the whole stretch and fixing a bunch of bridges. No new lanes are coming. But your daily drive is about to get bumpy in a different way for a while.
Here's what's happening and how to stay ahead of it.
What They're Actually Doing
MnDOT is repairing and repaving Highway 77 (that's Cedar Avenue) between 138th Street in Apple Valley and the Minnesota River Bridge in Eagan. They're also fixing ten bridges along the way.
Why now? The pavement is old and worn out. The goal is a smoother, stronger road that lasts longer. They're also updating drainage and adding ADA accessibility upgrades at the same time.
One thing to know up front: this is a repair job, not an expansion. There's no money right now for adding lanes or fixing traffic backups. So if you were hoping the Cedar bottleneck would finally get bigger, that's not this project. This is about keeping the road you already have in good shape. It's the same "fix it, don't grow it" approach we've seen on other local roadwork, like the Pilot Knob and County Road 42 upgrades in Apple Valley this year.
The Timeline: 2026 Through 2028
This one's a long haul, so here's the year-by-year breakdown.
2026 (right now): Crews are improving the Highway 77 pavement across the whole project area. They're also repairing a bunch of ramps, including ones at eastbound I-494, American Boulevard, Highway 13, Diffley Road, Cliff Road, I-35E, Palomino Drive, and McAndrews Road. They may also widen some pavement temporarily to keep traffic moving.
2027: This is the tough year. Highway 77 will drop to fewer lanes, with traffic running head-to-head so crews can rebuild one side at a time. Walkers and bikers should know the Minnesota River Bridge path will close, with a detour over I-35W.
2028: Crews finish the last of the resurfacing and bridge repairs. Wrap-up is set for November 2028.
MnDOT says it'll share more detailed info before each phase starts. So the plan can shift, and weather can push things around.
Closures Happening Right Now
Here's what's closed as of early August. Remember, all of this is weather-dependent and can change.
The southbound I-35E ramps to and from Highway 77 have been closed all weekend. They're set to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, August 3. If you got stuck this weekend, that one's almost done.
The southbound Highway 77 ramps to and from McAndrews Road are closed through late August. That one's been shut since July 20, so plan another way in and out if McAndrews is your normal exit.
There's also a trail closure. The path next to westbound McAndrews Road, between Pennock and Galaxie Avenue, is closed through late August. Walkers can detour using Pennock to Palomino Drive to Galaxie.
What's Closing Next
More ramps go down over the next few weeks. Here's your heads-up so nothing surprises you.
Starting 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, the ramp from Palomino Drive to northbound Highway 77 closes through late August.
Starting Monday, August 10, the ramp from Cliff Road to northbound Highway 77 closes through late September. That's a long one, so build a new habit if you use it.
Starting Monday, August 17, the ramp from northbound Highway 77 to Diffley Road closes through mid-September.
There's also a trail closure coming August 10. The path along the south side of Cliff Road, between Slater Road and Nicols Road, closes through late September. You can cross Cliff at Slater or Nicols and use the trail on the north side instead.
Access to homes and businesses stays open the whole time. So even when a ramp near you closes, you can still get where you're going. It just might take a little longer.
Why This Matters for Us
Cedar Avenue is a main artery for the south metro. When it gets worked on, a lot of us feel it. Eagan is already seeing plenty of change with all its housing and development growth, and steady road access keeps that momentum going.
The upside is real. When this wraps in 2028, we get a smoother ride, a stronger road, and bridges that'll last a lot longer. It's the kind of project that's annoying now and worth it later.
The trade-off is patience. Expect ramp closures, lane closures, and shifting traffic patterns for the next couple of years. Some closures will land on weekends. The best move is to know your detours before you need them.
The Bottom Line
Highway 77 is under construction from now through late 2028, and the closures are rolling out one ramp at a time. Right now, the McAndrews ramps are the big one for Apple Valley drivers, with Palomino, Cliff, and Diffley ramps closing over the next few weeks.
Your best friend here is MnDOT's project page and its email updates. Closures shift with the weather, so the schedule you see today might move. Sign up once and let the alerts come to you. And if you're curious what else the city is spending on, our roundup of Apple Valley's big-ticket local decisions is worth a look.
For the latest maps and detours, check the official MnDOT Highway 77 project page, the City of Apple Valley's project update, or local coverage of the August ramp closures in Eagan and Apple Valley.
FAQ
Wait, are they adding lanes to Cedar Avenue? Nope. This project only repairs and repaves the road and fixes bridges. There's no funding right now for adding lanes or easing traffic backups.
How long is this going to last? Construction runs from July 2026 through November 2028. So it's a multi-year project, not a one-summer thing.
Which ramps near me are closing? Right now the McAndrews Road ramps are closed through late August. The Palomino ramp closes August 3, the Cliff Road ramp closes August 10, and the Diffley ramp closes August 17. Most run for a month or more.
Can I still get to my house or my favorite store? Yes. MnDOT says access to homes and businesses stays open the entire project. You might just need a slightly different route when a nearby ramp is closed.
What's the worst year going to be? Probably 2027. That's when Highway 77 drops to fewer lanes with head-to-head traffic, and the Minnesota River Bridge walking path closes with a detour over I-35W.
