Westbound Interstate 94 between I-35E and Highway 280 will be closed in St. Paul this weekend, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The closure begins at 10 p.m. Friday and ends at 5 a.m. Monday.

Drivers will be detoured north on I-35E, west on Highway 36 and south on Highway 280 during the closure.

Minnesota Department of Transportation crews will be inspecting, repairing and cleaning roadway structures in the area.

For the latest updates on road conditions, visit www.511mn.org or call 511.

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Rich Thomaselli | (TNS) TravelPulse

Austria, Hungary, Greece and Italy have been especially vulnerable to Mother Nature of late.

A heatwave, wildfires and even a volcanic eruption are threatening to make things difficult for residents and to cause chaos for tourists.

These are unprecedented conditions that even forced the brief closure of the Parthenon earlier this year.

At times, the temperature across Europe has risen to 104 degrees. Austria and Hungary have been especially hard-hit, with residents and tourists alike being advised to stay indoors between noon and 4 p.m. Cities such as Vienna and Budapest have set up outdoor cooling stations.

The situation has been compounded by wildfires in some places in Greece and Italy. The heat and dry conditions have forced evacuations in southern Greece, including some tourist spots in the popular Greek islands. Some attractions and lodgings have already closed, making it advisable for travelers to check ahead. People have already been warned to use masks for the smoke and ash from the fires.

And there’s nothing anybody can do about Europe’s most active volcano.

Mount Etna in Italy erupted on August 14 and forced the closure of Catania International Airport in Sicily. It has since reopened, but tourists are urged to check with their airlines about any further disruptions. Tourists are also advised to invest in travel insurance.

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Rich Thomaselli | (TNS) TravelPulse

The beauty of Hawaii is in its diversity. Each island has a different flavor and culture. Getting to and from those islands for both residents and tourists can sometimes be difficult, however.

Some government officials are looking to change that.

Hawaii is exploring ferry service that would connect Maui, Molokai and Lanai. There is inter-island transportation right now via air, but presumably a ferry would be less expensive and not bound to such a rigid schedule as the airlines.

There is a current ferry service, but it only connects two of the islands and is losing money because of the wildfires. This proposed ferry service promises more accessibility.

“The ferry is a lifeline for the residents of Lanai City,” Lanai Councilmember Gabe Johnson said. “Many of us travel for important medical and professional services not offered on Lanai or to buy food and essential goods that are much cheaper.”

He says the ferry also is vital because it connects students to the state school system.

One concern is whether it would lead to overtourism, which has been an issue in Europe. It’s a delicate issue in a state that is heavily reliant on tourism and has seen its vacation rental market plummet.

A feasibility study has been proposed, and the county of Maui is thinking of purchasing the existing ferry service and expanding it.

“If the county buys (the existing service), we will have all the necessary permits and vessels that are proven reliable in the sea channels. It will also allow us to apply for federal grants and to purchase more ferries, upgrade our harbors and even electrify our fleet,” Johnson said.

Residents of Molokai say a ferry would give them more opportunities for work and access doctor appointments and shopping. But the potential impact from tourism is on people’s minds.

“We need to prioritize our local essential travel,” Zhan Lindo, a Molokai resident, said. “This will serve no good to us if it’s filled with nonessential travelers.”

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.