Postponed: Southbound Highway 169 closes July 15, detours Milaca to Long Siding

Those who travel on southbound Highway 169 from Highway 23 in Milaca to Mille Lacs County Road 13 in Long Siding should be prepared for delays as the road closes and detours starting Monday, July 22 - postponed from the originally planned closure on Monday, July 15 due to wet soil conditions, reports the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Crews will replace pipes beneath the road. The closures will occur July 15 to Aug. 17, Monday through Saturdays only; all southbound lanes open on Sundays.

Southbound Highway 169 will detour along westbound Highway 23 in Milaca, southbound County Road 5 and eastbound County Road 13, back to southbound Highway 169 in Long Siding. (Figure 1)

This work is part of a larger project to improve and resurface both directions of Highway 169 between Milaca and Princeton.

Here’s what to expect:

· Through mid-September: Access closed to/from County Road 8 at Highway 169 in Pease on July 8 to reconstruct a new J-turn. (Figure 1)

o County Road 8 (Main Street) west of Highway 169 detours via County Road 5 and County Road 13.

o County Road 8 (105th Street) east of Highway 169 detours via County Road 4 and County Road 13.

o Pedestrians to encounter sidewalk closures in Pease; follow signs and stay out of closed areas.

· Through mid-October: Segments of single-lane closures began July 8 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/.

When complete in mid-October, the $7.8 million Highway 169 project will provide travelers with a smoother ride, updated drainage and improved access to/from Pease.

For real time travel speeds and current impacts on Highway 169 between Milaca and Princeton, visit 511mn.org or get the free app at Google Play or the App Store.