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.

Current work zone map
169 Redefine: 2023 work zone. Select map for larger view, PNG

Hwy 169

Through mid-April

  • Periodic lane closures on both directions of Hwy 169 between Main St. and 197th Ave. as crews prepare the 2023 work zone

Jackson/193rd Ave. 

Through mid-April

  • Jackson Ave. closed west of SB Hwy 169
  • 193rd Ave. right-in/out access only at NB Hwy 169
  • Hwy 169 traffic signal is shut-off and removed; and the median closed
  • Both directions of Hwy 169 open through the intersection

School St./Elk Hills Dr. 

Begins Mon, April 3 at 9 a.m.

  • School St. will close west of SB Hwy 169 
  • Elk Hills Dr. will become right-in/out access only at NB Hwy 169 until mid-April
  • Hwy 169 traffic signal will be shut-off and removed and the median will close
  • Both directions of Hwy 169 will be open through the intersection

Upcoming impacts

Traffic switch mid-April

Once the work zone is set, Hwy 169 will be reduced to one-lane, each direction, 24-7, onto the southbound side as crews construct the northbound road and bridges.

Elk River is open

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.

  • Hwy 169 access will be open at Hwy 10, Main St. and the new 197th Ave. interchange. Frontage road access will be available at:
    • SB Hwy 169 to Holt St.
    • SB Hwy 169 to/from Freeport St.
    • NB Hwy 169 to/from Zane Ave.
    • NB Hwy 169 to/from Fifth St.
    • NB Hwy 169 to/from Evans St.

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. Pedestrians will have sidewalk closures with signed detours.

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.