Interstate 94 in Minnesota - History

History

Interstate 94 in Minnesota was authorized as part of the original interstate network in 1956. It was mostly constructed in the 1960s.

I-94 follows the original route of old U.S. Highway 52 from Moorhead to St. Cloud, then I-94 stays south of the Mississippi River along the former route of old State Highway 152 between St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. I-94 then passes through both downtowns and exits toward Wisconsin along the former route of old U.S. Highway 12.

The first section of I-94 in Minnesota constructed was between Moorhead and Albany in the early 1960s.

The section of I-94 between Minneapolis and Saint Paul was completed in 1964.

The section of I-94 between Maple Grove and Brooklyn Center was completed in 1969.

The section of I-94 between Saint Augusta and Maple Grove was completed in 1973.

The section of I-94 between Albany and Saint Augusta was completed in 1977.

The section of I-94 from Brooklyn Center through north Minneapolis was completed in 1984.

The last section of I-94 in Minnesota constructed was the ten miles (16 km) between its junction with I-494 / I-694 at Woodbury and the Wisconsin state line at Lakeland. This was completed in 1985.

In 2004, a major traffic bottleneck was relieved when a third lane was constructed between Brooklyn Boulevard at Brooklyn Center and Hemlock Lane at Maple Grove. This is located immediately east of the I-494 / 694 / 94 interchange in Maple Grove, also known locally as the Fish Lake Interchange.