169 Thru Elk River

After 3 years the project is complete and it is a breeze going thru Elk River, all lanes open. Now they just need to fix the south bound 169/101 to East bound 94 in Rogers.

I noticed that a couple days ago too. No more stops through elk river. Saves a lot of time. 3 year project, finally done.

They are going to remove the stop light in Zimmerman next year I heard.

Speaking of projects, the hwy 10/23 project in St. Cloud is done and open. I’m still not seeing how they made it any better. They actually added two sets of lights on 23, the on/off ramps to/from ten. Instead of subtracting lights, they added. That’s all St. Cloud needs is more lights. Good thing I can avoid that area pretty much.

weedis wrote:

Speaking of projects, the hwy 10/23 project in St. Cloud is done and open. I’m still not seeing how they made it any better. They actually added two sets of lights on 23, the on/off ramps to/from ten. Instead of subtracting lights, they added. That’s all St. Cloud needs is more lights. Good thing I can avoid that area pretty much.

Yeah, I don’t see the improvement either, perhaps the timing on those lights will be different and more traffic funneled to the overpass routes? But sure doesn’t look like it makes any sense when you drive through it.

At least hwy 10 is smooth and safe again. Before it was just a field of land mines through that area lol

weedis wrote:

Speaking of projects, the hwy 10/23 project in St. Cloud is done and open. I’m still not seeing how they made it any better. They actually added two sets of lights on 23, the on/off ramps to/from ten. Instead of subtracting lights, they added. That’s all St. Cloud needs is more lights. Good thing I can avoid that area pretty much.

Damn, those lights were permanent? I thought they were just there temporarily. I drive to the east side of St. Cloud almost every day, but fortunately I avoid the 23/10 intersection.

I think the biggest improvement will be that walking bridge. If those lights are permanent that is a mistake. Personally I think its dumb to have all the interchanges on the South side of the 23 bridge. I know they have been doing this more often, but the design just doesnt make sense to me.

Music to my ears to hear that project is finally wrapped up. That log jam would consistently add 20+ minutes to our commute up north.

That was a huge project that sidetracked our path up north for years, super excited its finally done! Just some more work needed in Ramsey/Anoka and then its smooth sailing!

gim wrote:

They are going to remove the stop light in Zimmerman next year I heard.

and do what? roundabout? overpass?

The Garrison Y roundabout project is the next worry on our list, I don’t think that starts for a year or two though…

Can’t Wait for the Garrison roundabout to be installed… make them friday night rides home from work, so much better.

JoeMX1825 wrote:

and do what? roundabout? overpass?

Over/under pass. The speed limit there is 65, my guess that’s just too fast for a roundabout.

Anonymous wrote:

Looks like the 169 work won’t start until the Spring of 2026…

Thanks, I was only told “it was coming.” Looks like you found the time line.

Most of you guys have no idea what the commute to Garrison used to be. Two-lane highway all the way and the lanes were narrow and speed limit 55 mph. No Elk River improvement, no Princeton bypass, no Milaca bypass. You get behind a camper pulling a boat, you were screwed!!
Added 45-60 minutes in heavy traffic.

Netguy wrote:

Most of you guys have no idea what the commute to Garrison used to be. Two-lane highway all the way and the lanes were narrow and speed limit 55 mph. No Elk River improvement, no Princeton bypass, no Milaca bypass. You get behind a camper pulling a boat, you were screwed!!
Added 45-60 minutes in heavy traffic.

Was it up hill both ways?

Sorry bud I had to.

I can definitely remember when 101 from 94 in Rogers to 169 in Elk River was still a 2 lane highway with traffic lights. That was only about 20 years go.

Netguy wrote:

Most of you guys have no idea what the commute to Garrison used to be. Two-lane highway all the way and the lanes were narrow and speed limit 55 mph. No Elk River improvement, no Princeton bypass, no Milaca bypass. You get behind a camper pulling a boat, you were screwed!!
Added 45-60 minutes in heavy traffic.

I remember.
Friday before opening was painful. The only good side was when you were stopped in Princeton or Milaca you could buy crawlers from your window.

I always tried to go up on Thursday’s, it did help

The worst was coming home on Sundays since if people went up Thursday evening, Friday morning/midday or Friday evening, most came home Sunday afternoon/evening. One year coming home on Sunday afternoon a couple of kids in Milaca or Princeton were counting cars with chalk and chalk board.