The second year of construction begins soon with work to resume in April.
POSTPONED: Public meetings
The public events to learn about 2024 construction plans and impacts on Highway 169 in Aitkin, scheduled for Tuesday, March 26, is postponed due to the major snowstorm and anticipated dangerous travel conditions across the state.
We will work to identify an alternate date in the near future. Stay tuned.
Current impacts
Off-road work to occur year-round. All traffic impacts are tentative and weather dependent.
Work operations to resume in full force late April 2024 between Aitkin and Hassman.
2024 impacts
The project requires shoulder and lane closures with flaggers, along with segments of road closures with detours in 2024. Access will be open and maintained to those who live, work or visit those along the highway; however, expect changes.
Schedule at a glance
Information is tentative and subject to change. Detours will overlap at times.
MnDOT will reconstruct the road and widen shoulders from the Ripple River in Aitkin to the Mississippi River north of Hassman, Aitkin County.
Summary of work
Reconstruct 11 miles of road surface with a stronger, concrete overlay material
Widen the shoulders (eight-feet paved and two-feet gravel), lengthen turn lanes and improve road access
Add center turn lane through the city of Aitkin to Co. Rd. 12/83 (400th Ave.)
Repair or replace drainage infrastructure
Replace bridge
The Hwy 169 project will use an unbonded concrete overlay to repair and strengthen the road surface. The process consists of three layers.
Existing concrete layer
First, cracks and other imperfections are patched before the interlayer is placed over the existing surface
Interlayer
The interlayer serves as a bond breaker to prevent cracks on the existing concrete layer from transferring to the new concrete layer. This is called “reflective cracking”. Specially-designed fabric or up to an inch of asphalt may be used for this layer
New concrete layer
Seven to ten inches of new concrete is poured over the interlayer
Informational graphic of an unbonded concrete overlay. Select image to enlarge