Highway 169 remains detoured
BAXTER, Minn. – Starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, after Labor Day, Highway 169 intersection at Highway 18 and Monroe Street will close to all traffic to construct the connections to the new roundabout in Garrison, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reports.
The contractor will have 17 consecutive days to complete work in Garrison—the roundabout, road surface, permanent road markings and signage—plus, removal of the temporary roundabout.
Here are the traffic impacts through late September:
- Highway 169 remains detoured to through traffic from south of Garrison to Bennettville.
- Access into Garrison remains open; however, the intersection will be closed. Residents, businesses and visitors should plan ahead and use the nearest access point along the detour:
- Highway 169 south of Central Street: enter from County Road 26.
- Highway 169 north of Highway 18: enter from Tame Fish Lake Road (Aitkin County Road 11).
- Highway 18 west of Highway 169: enter from Highway 6/Highway 18.
- On Highway 169 between Central Street in Garrison and County Road 26, crews will continue construction, including updating the historic Saint Alban’s Bay culvert. Expect single-lane traffic with no shoulders, lane shifts, reduced speeds, flaggers, and gravel or grooved surfaces. Access points and entrances will shift—follow directional signs.
MnDOT thanks you for your patience as crews complete this work. We know the full closure will be difficult for the Garrison community—especially after a busy summer using the temporary roundabout—and we appreciate your understanding while we finish these necessary improvements.
Figure 1: Highway 169 detour map from south of Garrison at County Road 26 to Bennettville.
Final work stage, detour through mid-October
In late September, Highway 169 will reopen in Garrison but close from the south limits of Garrison to County Road 26. Crews will finish the historic St. Alban’s Bay culvert and reclaim and recycle the road surface, a process that requires wide equipment. The Highway 169 detour via County Road 26, County Road 8, and Highway 18 will remain in place. The Pikes Point boat landing will also close until mid-October.
When all lanes reopen in mid-October, travelers will experience smoother pavement, updated infrastructure, and improved safety and traffic flow in the Garrison area.
Visit the Highway 169 Garrison project web page for more information.
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