Starting June 12: Road Construction and Access to Riverland Austin Campus

Road Construction Near Austin Campus

Riverland is working closely with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to help students, employees, and visitors navigate road construction near the Austin Campus.

Construction near Interstate 90 and Highway 218 (14th Street NW) may impact how you access campus. This is part of a larger infrastructure project in the Austin area and includes detours, lane shifts, and temporary traffic changes.

Motorists in Austin using 14th Street Northwest north of Interstate 90 will be detoured beginning June 12 as construction crews begin sanitary and storm sewer replacement, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The construction work on 14th Street NW will remove all of the pavement and the road will be excavated down to replace the utilities for the city of Austin as part of the I-90 Austin bridges project. The closure will be in place through the fall.

Motorists who are southbound on Highway 218 in northwest Austin will need to turn east (left) at 18th Avenue Northwest and travel to 4th Street Northwest to turn south (right). Motorists who want to travel on I-90 can use the on-ramps at 4th Street in each direction. Motorists wanting to reach 14th Street NW on the south side of I-90 should continue south on 4th Street to 4th Avenue Northwest to go west (right) to reach 14th St.  Westbound I-90 motorists should use Exit 178A at 4th Street NW to reach 14th Street NW on the south side of I-90 by Riverland Community College. Eastbound I-90 motorists should continue to use 4th Street NW (Exit 178A) to reach the north side of I-90.

Northbound motorists on 14th Street NW south of I-90 can reach the north side of I-90 and Highway 218 north by merging onto I-90 eastbound and exit at 4th Street NW (Exit 178A) to travel north on 4th Street.

The westbound ramps at 14th Street NW will close on June 12. The eastbound ramps will remain open. During I-90 closures in June, all ramps will be open for detours up and down while I-90 is closed for single day or weekend bridge related work.

Other traffic changes will be announced in advance as construction progresses.

For more information or to sign up for project updates, visit the project website.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official project page:
I-90 Austin Bridge Replacement Project (opens in a new tab)

What to Expect

  • Increased travel time, especially during peak hours
  • Clearly marked detours and directional signage
  • Continued access to Riverland using alternate routes

Our Commitment

Riverland remains fully open and accessible throughout construction. We are working to provide clear communication, updated directions, and minimal disruption to campus operations.

Please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and watch for updated directions as construction progresses.

Driving Directions During Construction

The I-90 Riverland Exits (177) are currently open. The 14th Street bridge is also accessible from the North and South. If this should change during construction, consider the following alternative routes.

 

From I-90 Westbound

  • Exit at Highway 105 / West Oakland Avenue (Exit 175)
  • Travel east on Oakland Avenue
  • Turn left (north) onto 14th Street NW
  • Continue to Riverland campus

From I-90 Eastbound

  • Exit at 4th Street NW / County Road 45 (Exit 178A)
  • Travel north, then west on 18th Avenue NW
  • Connect to Highway 218 / 14th Street NW
  • Continue to campus

From the North (Highway 218 Southbound)

  • Expect lane shifts 
  • Follow posted signage to access 14th Street NW
  • Use Oakland Avenue detours if needed

From the South (Highway 218 Northbound)

  • Use this route instead:
    • 18th Avenue NW
    • 4th Street NW
    • Oakland Avenue
  • Follow signage to reach campus