Public works and infrastructure ·
Saint Paul reopens University Avenue ramp as reconstruction continues
By Workvado / Litequo LLC · Published · Updated
An Oct. 23 project update reports Exit 107C has reopened, restoring one connection while the city road and Lafayette Road intersection remain under construction.
Saint Paul’s Oct. 23 construction update says the southbound I-35E ramp to University Avenue, Exit 107C, has reopened. University Avenue between L’Orient and Olive streets and the Lafayette Road intersection remain closed, so the restored ramp provides one access connection during continuing reconstruction.
The project covers roughly a quarter mile from I-35E to Lafayette Road in a predominantly industrial area. The city lists roadway reconstruction, updated curbs and pedestrian ramps, sidewalk work, a new surface, trees, a shared-use walk and bicycle path, lighting and underground utility replacement as planned improvements. That combination involves more than paving: street access, utility sequencing, pedestrian continuity and permanent traffic control all have to be coordinated around active businesses and multiple modes.
Reopening the ramp can ease an approach to the corridor without removing the need for local traffic control. Pedestrian access may change as construction progresses. For a nearby industrial business, the distinction is between reaching the area and reaching a particular entrance. Truck routing and delivery instructions should describe the final approach as well as the highway exit.
The city’s page describes planned work for the week of Oct. 26, including paving medians beneath the I-35E bridge, continuing pavement work at Lafayette Road, preparing for curb and gutter installation, and grading for trails and sidewalks. The schedule is subject to weather and field conditions. Because the update is a live project page, teams should check the current notice before dispatching deliveries or setting a work route rather than rely on an earlier closure map.
For contractors, a phased reopening creates a moving interface between the roadway job and nearby construction or industrial operations. Delivery instructions should identify the approach direction, open access points and any weight or turning restrictions shown by the city. Temporary route changes can affect truck cycle times, concrete placement windows and emergency access, while utility work may change the local street geometry over short intervals. Project teams can record these access decisions in a brief delivery matrix covering the receiving address, approved approach, unloading window and responsible contact. A concrete supplier can then confirm the route before loading, while the receiving trade checks that the unloading location is available. Updating that matrix when a ramp or intersection changes keeps dispatch, site supervision and the carrier working from the same instructions. The same check can cover access needed by emergency services and adjacent businesses.
For dispatchers, a reopened exit should trigger a route review rather than an automatic return to the preconstruction delivery plan. Identify the open unloading gate, confirm the approach with the receiving business and give drivers a clear contact if signs or barriers differ from the instructions. This is especially relevant while the Lafayette Road intersection remains unavailable. For the roadway contractor, opening one movement also changes the interface with traffic passing an active work area; the remaining closure and pedestrian arrangements still need clear communication.
- Ramp reopening update
- October 23, 2026
- Reopened access
- Exit 107C from southbound I-35E to University Avenue
- Remaining restrictions
- University Avenue closure and Lafayette Road intersection closure continued
Sources
- University Avenue Reconstruction: October 23 Construction Update, City of Saint Paul, read October 27, 2026