AAA’s Online TripTik® Indicates Closure and Provides Alternative Routes

ORLANDO, Fla.-- Due to the tragic I-35W bridge collapse over the Mississippi River, AAA’s online TripTik® Travel Planner (www.aaa.com) stopped all automatic routing through the affected area on I-35W by the next morning, and began providing revised navigation assistance using alternative roads. Now motorists selecting a route that approaches the Twin Cities via major highways will receive an immediate notification of road closure with a link for more information and will automatically be provided an alternate route based on their origin and destination. AAA said its local affiliates, AAA Minneapolis and AAA Minnesota/Iowa, will continue to monitor the situation and be able to provide the nation’s largest travel membership organization with information on road conditions throughout the Twin Cities area.

AAA suggests the following alternate routes for commuters and other motorists heading into downtown Minneapolis from the North Metro:

    * Motorists from the north and northeast suburbs (Fridley, Columbia Heights, New Brighton, etc.) will face the greatest challenge getting to work. They are urged to take westbound I-694 to southbound I-94 into downtown Minneapolis.
    * An alternate route for those in the north and northeast is to take I-35W southbound to SR 280, heading south to I-94 west into downtown and exiting on 5th Street.
    * If you are coming from the northwest suburbs (Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, etc.) take I-694 east to I-94, heading south into downtown and take the 4th Street or 7th Street exits. Another route from the northwest would be I-494 east to I-394 east to the downtown Minneapolis exits.
    * Other less-traveled alternate routes include East River Road and University Avenue from the north, across the Broadway Bridge into downtown Minneapolis.
    * Another route from the northwest is I-494 east to I-394 east to the downtown Minneapolis exits.
    * Other less traveled, non-freeway-style alternate routes from the northeast include Central Avenue to the 3rd Avenue bridge; or taking University Avenue or East River Road/Marshall Street across the Broadway Avenue bridge to Washington Avenue and then into downtown Minneapolis.

The AAA TripTik travel planner is an interactive mapping, routing and travel planning tool that is available free at AAA.com. This online routing resource includes detailed maps, turn-by-turn directions, AAA proprietary content (such as scenic roads, congested areas, and construction information), AAA/CAA club locations, TourBook® and CampBook® guide information (including Diamond ratings for hotels and restaurants) and online hotel booking functionality. Users can map a single location or create complete point-to-point itineraries using specific addresses or populated drop-down lists that include airports, colleges and universities, major sports venues, hospitals, golf courses, ski resorts, cruise ports and national, state and provincial parks. The unique Modify My Route feature allows users to select roadways to create customized routings that suit personal (or AAA recommended) preferences.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com.