Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 169—Princeton

Mille Lacs and Sherburne counties

Today on Hwy 169: check 511mn.org

Upcoming impacts

Work map Hwy 169 Princeton project
Hwy 169 work zone in Princeton. Select map to enlarge

April 21 to late May

Travelers will encounter lane shifts, reduced speeds, single-lane traffic, no shoulders and sudden stops or delays at busy times on Hwy 169 between 313th Ave. and Baxter Rd. in Princeton, as follows:

Northbound Hwy 169

Mon, 7 a.m. to Fri, 10 a.m.

  • Reduced to one-lane, 24-7

Southbound Hwy 169

Mon, 7 a.m. to Sat, 7 p.m.

  • Reduced to one-lane, 24-7

Work zone safety tips

  • Do the Zipper Merge: Use both lanes until merge point and take turns
  • Use 511mn.org: Know before you go. Check current impacts and travel speeds
  • Obey posted speeds: Fines for speeding in a work zone is $300
  • Expect changes, back-ups or sudden stops, especially at busier commuter times (work/school)

About this project

MnDOT will update and improve eight Hwy 169 bridges (four in each direction) through Princeton in 2025.

Summary of work

  • Resurface bridge decks (replace concrete wearing coarse) over:
    • Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29)
    • West Branch Rum River
    • Co. Rd. 31 (1st St.)
    • S Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29)
  • Replace or repair approach panels, concrete joints, catch basins and guardrail, along with any other needed repairs

Hwy 169 work zone between Baxter Rd. and 313th Ave. in Princeton

2025
Work
Traffic impacts
April 21-late May Prepare work zone: construct temporary crossovers in the median, widen lanes for traffic and set up traffic control devices
  • Reduced to one lane of traffic; except at posted peak weekend travel times, reduced speeds
Late May to mid-Summer Update southbound Hwy 169 bridges over: N Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29); West Branch Rum River Co. Rd. 31 (1st St.); S Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29)
  • One lane each way, 24-7, on northbound side of road between 313th Ave. and Baxter Dr.
  • Reduced speeds, lane shifts, delays at busy times; seek alternate routes to avoid delay
  • Changes to access, follow signs
Mid-summer to fall Update northbound Hwy 169 bridges over: S Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29); Co. Rd. 31 (1st St.); West Branch Rum River; N Rum River Dr. (Co. Rd. 29)

 
  • One lane each way, 24-7, on southbound side of road between 313th Ave. and Baxter Dr.
  • Reduced speeds, lane shifts, delays at busy times; seek alternate routes to avoid delay
  • Changes to access, follow signs
Late fall Wrap up work: remove temporary crossovers on both ends of project and other traffic control devices and establish turf
  • Periodic lane or shoulder closures with reduced speeds

Above table information is tentative and subject to change.

Rob Abfalter
Construction Project Manager
robert.abfalter@state.mn.us

Jenny Seelen
Communications Project Manager
jenny.seelen@state.mn.us
218-820-6820

Central Region District 3
Baxter/St. Cloud offices: mndot.gov/d3
Facebook: group/mndotcentral
X social stream: @mndotcentral