Hwy 169 Princeton bridge work reaches halfway point

Head-to-head traffic shifts to adjacent side

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Crews have completed repairs and updates to the southbound bridge decks on Hwy 169 through Princeton, marking the project’s halfway point, reports the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Work on the adjacent northbound bridges is set to begin the week of Aug. 4.

What to expect on Hwy 169 between 313th Avenue and Baxter Road:

Traffic shift begins Aug. 4: Head-to-head traffic will transition onto the adjacent southbound side to allow crews to begin work on the northbound bridges.

Changing the four-mile work zone takes time. Expect changes when navigating Princeton, including changes in access to and from Hwy 169.

Next three months: This head-to-head configuration will remain in place 24-7, including weekends and holidays, through late October. View a current map on the project web page.

Work zone reminders:

Local access changes: Follow directional road signs.
Zipper merge: Use both lanes until the merge point, then take turns.
Reduced speeds: Speeding in work zones carries a $300 fine.
Add travel time to reduce stress: Expect backups or sudden stops during peak times, including school hours, holidays or weekends.
Stay informed: Check 511mn.org for up-to-date travel impacts, speeds and detours.

This six-month, $7.3 million project will repair and replace the concrete wearing surface on eight bridges—four in each direction—located over:

North Rum River Drive (Mille Lacs County Road 29)
West Branch Rum River
First Street (Mille Lacs County Road 31)
South Rum River Drive (Sherburne County Road 29)

When open in fall 2025, the bridges will provide a smoother travel surface, extend the life of the structures and improve storm water drainage. All work activities and traffic impacts are weather dependent and subject to change.

For more information, visit MnDOT’s Hwy 169 Princeton project page.

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