Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 169—Aitkin to north of Hassman

Aitkin County

Current

All traffic impacts are tentative and weather-dependent.

Detour until early October

Aitkin to north of Hassman

Detour Aitkin to Hassman
Work zone Sept. 3–early October. Select map to enlarge

Hwy 169 closed from Aitkin Co. Rd. 12 to north of the Hwy 169/210 intersection. Project update (8/28)

  • Detour Aitkin, McGregor, Palisade: Co. Rd. 12 Aitkin, Hwy 47, Co. Rd. 4, Hwy 65 McGregor, Hwy 210 to Co. Rd. 5 Palisade and Co. Rd. 3 to Hwy 169 north of the Mississippi River

Once the Hwy 169/210 intersection work is complete, the road will remain closed between Aitkin and Hassman. Detour will continue through McGregor until late October.

Local impacts

Access will be open and maintained to those who live, work or visit those along the work zone; however expect changes.

Drainage work

Hard closures will be necessary to replace drainage structures beneath Hwy 169. Overall crews will work south west to north east.

Hard closures

Map of locations a-i:

a. Pipe west of Co. Rd. 12/83 - COMPLETE

b. Pipe east of Co. Rd. 12/83 - COMPLETE

c. Box bridge between Co. Rd. 12/83 and 390th St. - COMPLETE

d. Pipe between 390th St. and 365th St. - COMPLETE

e. Box bridge north of 370th Ln. - COMPLETE

f. Pipe north of 370th Ln. - COMPLETE

g. Box bridge south of Co. Rd. 54/56 - COMPLETE

h. Box bridge south of Co. Rd. 54/56 - COMPLETE

i. Pipe between 395th St. and Rice River - COMPLETE

Traffic plans

The project requires segments of road closures with detours along with shoulder or lane closures with flaggers. 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 October Detour through McGregor
Aitkin Mid-May to mid-July Complete
Hassman intersection closes Early September to early October Detour through Palisade

Aitkin to Hassman

Late April to October

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

Hassman

September to early October

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