Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

169 Redefine—Elk River

Future freeway

Current impacts

Off-road work to occur year-round. All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.

Hwy 169 work zone map
Hwy 169 work zone map Aug. 10. Select image to enlarge

Lane closures

Through Nov. 1

  • Hwy 169 is reduced to one lane in each direction, 24-7, between Main St. and 197th Ave.
    • Note: Traffic will shift to either side of the road as crews construct the freeway

Road closures

Through Nov. 1

  • Jackson Ave. and 193rd Ave. closed to/from Hwy 169 to construct a new interchange
  • School St. and Elk Hills Dr. closed to/from Hwy 169 to construct a new interchange

Local access

Elk River is open

Local access will be open and maintained to those who work, visit, or live along Hwy 169 in Elk River; however, expect changes and seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

Motorists
  • Hwy 169 access open at Hwy 10, Main St. and the 197th Ave. interchange
  • Temporary access open at: 
    • SB Hwy 169 from Holt St.
    • NB Hwy 169 to/from Zane Ave.
    • NB Hwy 169 to Fifth St.
    • NB Hwy 169 to/from Evans St.
  • Added to assist with side street traffic flow:
    • Compact roundabout on Evans St. 
    • Signal at Gates Ave. and Main St.
Pedestrians 
  • Hwy 169 crossings available at Main St., the pedestrian bridge north of School St./Elk Hills Dr. and at the 197th Ave. bridge.
  • Pedestrians will have sidewalk closures with signed detours.

Be prepared for delays

Overall, Hwy 169 will be reduced to one lane in both directions through each work area, each year. Access to/from Hwy 169 and adjacent streets will change and motorists will follow road signs to the next open access.

Consider these tips:

About this project

The three-mile Hwy 169 freeway between Hwy 101/Hwy 10 and 197th Ave. in Elk River will take three full construction seasons to complete from April 2022 to November 2024. Work includes bridges, freeway lanes, adjacent road and sidewalk connections, city utilities and underground infrastructures.

Project location map -
Freeway in Elk River. Click map for PDF version

Convert to a freeway

  • Reconstruct all four-lanes of Hwy 169 and adjacent road connections
  • Construct four new interchanges:
    • Hwy 169 bridge over Main St.
    • School St./Elk Hills Dr. bridge over Hwy 169
    • Hwy 169 bridge over 193rd Ave.
    • 197th Ave. bridge over Hwy 169 - Complete 2022
  • Improve pedestrian accessibility along city streets
  • Upgrade underground infrastructure and utilities
  • Improve access at the Hwy 10/101/169interchange - Complete 2022
  • Replace the northbound Hwy 101/169 bridge over Hwy 10 - Complete 2022

The 169 Redefine project is in partnership with MnDOT, City of Elk River and Sherburne County.

Visualization of future freeway in Elk River

All information is subject to change.