Minnesota Department of Transportation

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July 2, 2024

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Roadwork begins on Hwy 169 between Milaca and Princeton July 8

Delays, detours, one-lane traffic
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation advises those who travel on both directions of Highway 169 between Milaca and Princeton, Mille Lacs County, to be prepared for delays as a roadwork begins Monday, July 8.
Work crews will:

  • Resurface Highway 169 (eight miles each direction) from half-mile south of Mille Lacs County Road 36 in Milaca to one mile north of County Road 29/N Rum River Road in Princeton, includes shoulders and turn lanes.
  • Reconstruct and improve access at Highway 169 and County Road 8 in Pease with a J-turn design, includes pedestrian crosswalk.
  • Replace or repair stormwater pipes beneath southbound Highway 169.

Here’s what to expect July 8 to mid-October:

  • Week of July 8: Motorists to encounter single-lane closures on both directions of Highway 169 as crews prepare work areas.
  • July 8 to mid-September: Access will close to/from County Road 8 at Highway 169 in Pease to reconstruct a new J-turn. (Figure 1)
    • County Road 8 (Main Street) west of Highway 169 to detour via County Road 5 and County Road 13.
    • County Road 8 (105th Street) east of Highway 169 to detour via County Road 4 and County Road 13.
    • Pedestrians to encounter sidewalk closures in Pease; follow signs and stay out of closed areas.
  • July 15 to Aug. 17: Southbound Highway 169 will close and detour to work beneath the road between Highway 23 in Milaca and County Road 13 in Long Siding. The closure will occur Monday through Saturday only; all lanes open on Sundays.
    • Southbound Highway 169 will detour via Highway 23 in Milaca, County Road 5 to County Road 13 in Long Siding.
  • July 8 to mid-October: Motorists to encounter segments of single-lane closures on both directions of Highway 169 between County Road 36 (Central Avenue) in Milaca and one mile north of County Road 29 in Princeton.

Motorists will encounter changes as they navigate through the work zone each day. Expect multiple crews at work along Highway 169. Off-road work may occur at any time along this project. Watch for slow moving equipment entering and exiting work areas. Be prepared to slow down or stop on Highway 169 at busier times.

For upcoming impacts, to view maps, contact the Highway 169 project team or to sign up for construction updates, visit the project web page: https://www.mndot.gov/d3/projects/h169pease/.

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