Background
Spring flooding frequently closes the Hwy 101 and Hwy 41 Minnesota River crossings. The resulting congestion has a negative effect on traffic in the region.

Although the Hwy 169 river crossing is fairly new, it does not have sufficient capacity to efficiently handle the amount of traffic detoured during closures of the Hwy 41 and Hwy 101 river crossings. While a long-term replacement has been identified for the Hwy 41 river crossing, it may be decades before the crossing is replaced, given current funding levels.

 

Mn/DOT’s Highway 169 Flood Detour Plan for Spring 2011
In a step to help ease congestion and improve mobility while Hwy 101 and Hwy 41 are closed due to spring flooding, Highway 169 was temporarily reconfigured to accommodate greater traffic volume on Hwy 169 traffic between Shakopee and I-494.

For additional information, please see the Mn/DOT news release dated March 3, 2011.

 

News Releases

Hwy 169 enhancements start Thursday, March 24 (March 24, 2011)
Plan in place to provide enhanced Hwy 169 flood detour (March 3, 2011)
Mn/DOT announces flood mitigation program (Oct. 19, 2010)