Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 169—Aitkin to north of Hassman

Aitkin County

Get the scoop on 2024 construction

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

Detour in Aitkin via Hwy 169, Hwy 47 and Co. Rd. 12
Periodic lane closures to occur year-round. Select map to enlarge

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.

Segment Construct Impacts
Aitkin to Hassman Late April to mid-October Detour through McGregor
Aitkin Mid-May to mid-July Detour in town
Hassman Late July to early September Detour through Palisade

Three detours will occur in 2024 and will overlap at times. More details to come as we get closer to construction.

Detours, work segments into three - one 2023 detour and two in 2024
2024 detour plans. Select map to enlarge

Aitkin to Hassman

Late April to mid-October
Detour in Aitkin via Hwy 169, Hwy 47 and Co. Rd. 12
Close-up of detour in Aitkin. Select map to enlarge

Reconstruct and close Hwy 169/210 between Aitkin Co. Rd. 12 and Hwy 210, includes underground pipes.

Aitkin

Mid-May to mid-July

Reconstruct and close Hwy 169/210 between the Ripple River bridge and Aitkin Co. Rd. 12.

  • Detour in Aitkin: Hwy 169 (Minnesota Ave.), Hwy 47 (Fourth St. SE), Co. Rd. 12 (400th Ave.)
  • Access will be maintained and open to businesses. Follow signs.

Hassman

Late July to early September

Reconstruct and close the Hwy 169 and 210 intersection for up to five weeks.

About this project

Project location map
Project location map.Select map to enlarge

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

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