169 Thru Elk River

  • Eelpoutguy
    Farmington, Outing
    Posts: 10336
    #2297214

    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.

    gimruis
    Plymouth, MN
    Posts: 17079
    #2297218

    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.

    weedis
    Sauk Rapids, MN
    Posts: 1298
    #2297269

    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.

    ThunderLund78
    Posts: 2486
    #2297298

    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.

    gimruis
    Plymouth, MN
    Posts: 17079
    #2297301

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

    TillrLife
    Cold Spring, MN
    Posts: 861
    #2297325

    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.

    CaptainMusky
    Posts: 22244
    #2297327

    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.

    AnotherFisherman
    Posts: 599
    #2297330

    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.

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 17538
    #2297339

    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!

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 17538
    #2297340

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

    and do what? roundabout? overpass?

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 17538
    #2297341

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

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 22386
    #2297363

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

    gimruis
    Plymouth, MN
    Posts: 17079
    #2297393

    and do what? roundabout? overpass?

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

    gimruis
    Plymouth, MN
    Posts: 17079
    #2297409

    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.

    Netguy
    Minnetonka
    Posts: 3153
    #2297491

    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.

    John Rasmussen
    Blaine
    Posts: 6284
    #2297496

    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? whistling

    Sorry bud I had to. jester

    gimruis
    Plymouth, MN
    Posts: 17079
    #2297498

    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.

    Eelpoutguy
    Farmington, Outing
    Posts: 10336
    #2297511

    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.

    Mike Schulz
    Osakis/Long Prairie
    Posts: 1136
    #2297544

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

    Netguy
    Minnetonka
    Posts: 3153
    #2297560

    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.

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