MnDOT announces public construction camera for I-35E/Shepard Road project
ROSEVILLE, Minn. — The public will get a glimpse behind the orange cones with the launch of a new public-facing construction camera for the Interstate 35E/Shepard Road improvement project, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The southward-facing camera mounted on the southbound (west) side of the I-35E bridge captures high-resolution images every 15 minutes, providing a near-real-time view of work along the corridor. All images are automatically archived, allowing the public to scroll back through the full history of construction activity.
MnDOT installed the camera in early May, just in time to document the first stages of the embankment bypass construction, one of the early milestones in the project. The new bypass is being built on a temporary embankment alongside the southbound lanes of the existing bridge. Construction crews piled soil on top of Shepard Rd. to build a paved bypass to reroute I-35E traffic. Once the bypass is opened later this month, four lanes of traffic will shift onto the bypass and the old bridge will be demolished. MnDOT expects the camera feed to become even more dynamic as major construction ramps up.
What the camera offers
- Frequent updates — New images posted every 15 minutes throughout the day.
- Full photo archive — View past images to see how the project has progressed over time.
- Key construction moments — Early stages of the embankment bypass are already visible, with more activity expected soon.
- Public transparency — A simple, accessible way for residents and commuters to stay informed.
The camera is available on the project website at mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35estpaul-lilydale.
About the I-35E/Shepard Road project
MnDOT is replacing the aging I-35E bridge over Shepard Rd. near downtown St. Paul, which is near the end of its service life. Replacing the bridge will reduce ongoing repair and maintenance costs while delivering a modern, reliable structure that ensures safe travel for motorists for many years to come. Additional concrete repairs will be made on I-35E from West 7th St. through the Mississippi River bridge in 2027 to provide a smoother driving surface and extend the life of the bridge.
For more information about the Interstate 35E/Shepard Road project, visit the website at mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35estpaul-lilydale.
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