County Road J & I-35E Interchange
County Road J from Centerville Road to Otter Lake Road, including the I-35E interchange, is scheduled for reconstruction in 2025 & 2026, led by Ramsey County in partnership with MnDOT, Anoka County, White Bear Township, North Oaks, and Lino Lakes. The current interchange and surrounding area face significant safety, congestion, and access challenges for all users, which are expected to worsen with upcoming development. Planned improvements will complete missing freeway connections by adding access to and from I-35E, enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities along County Road J (Ash Street), replace the bridge over I-35E, and improve stormwater management with new stormwater ponds.
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Timeline
- August
- Northbound I-35E Exit Ramp
- Crews will work on connecting the new ramp into I-35E.
- Crews will pour concrete on the ramp.
- West Roundabout
- Crews will work on pouring concrete sidewalk and roundabout apron.
- East Roundabout
- Crews will work on pouring concrete curb and gutter.
- Concrete paving of the roundabout roadway will occur.
- Southbound I-35E Entrance Ramp
- August 14, weather permitting, the southbound I-35E entrance ramp will close for 75 days.
- Crews will begin working on installing storm sewer.
- Work will begin on removing existing pavement.
- County Road J
- The eastbound County Road J is scheduled to close, August 14, weather permitting. Accesses to the theater shops driveway and Holiday driveway from County Road J will be closed.
- During this closure there will only be westbound traffic on County Road J.
- I-35E
- I-35E will be closed in both directions between County Road 96 and Main Street Friday, August 28 at 10 p.m. till Monday, August 31 at 5 a.m. This closure is to allow for the demolition of the old County Road J bridge.
- Northbound I-35E Exit Ramp
September
- Southbound I-35E Entrance Ramp
- Crews will remove the old roadway.
- Crews will pour concrete along the ramp.
- Crews will begin restoring and striping the ramp.
- West Roundabout and Otter Lake Road
- Crews will pave the roadway connections from Otter Lake Road to the Roundabout.
- Work on the concrete sidewalk and pedestrian ramp will continue.
- County Road J
- Crews will pour curb and gutter along the southside of County Road J.
- Crews will pour concrete sidewalk and roadway.
- Crews will begin restoration work.
- Count Road J Bridge
- Demolition of the old County Road J bridge is scheduled for September.
October
- County Road J
- Signage and stripping will take place.
- Final restoration work around the project area will take place.
- Southbound I-35E Entrance Ramp
Community engagement
Past community engagement:
- Online comment map from December 2021 to January 2022 to collect community feedback on safety, pedestrian and bicyclist access, congestion and access to businesses and neighborhoods.
- A virtual open house in September 2022 (StoryMap) was available to provide details on the 8 concept alternatives being considered and collect community feedback. There were also “Virtual Office Hours” which provided opportunities to connect live with Ramsey and Anoka County staff to ask questions and provide feedback during virtual meetings.
- An in-person open house was held in July 2023 where a preferred concept was reviewed along with additional project materials.
- An in-person open house was held in May 2024 where a final design concept was reviewed along with additional project materials.
- An in-person open house was held in September 2024 where the final design, construction impacts, and maintenance of traffic during construction were reviewed along with additional project materials.
- An in-person open house was held in May, 2025 where attendees learned more about the project and were able to share feedback.
Traffic impacts
- Eastbound County Road J and the southbound I-35E entrance ramp is closed. To access the theater shops and Holiday please use the entrance off of Centerville Road.
- Friday, August 28, at 10 p.m. to Monday, August 31 at 5 a.m. I-35E will be closed from County Road 96 to Main Street.
- Slow down when workers are present. Watch for construction traffic. Do not move traffic barriers or cones.
Project area
