Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Hwy 169—Garrison

Crow Wing County 

Know before you go: check 511mn.org

Currrent work zone

Hwy 169 is open in Garrison

The new, smoother lanes are open and work is complete between Hwy 18 and Pike Ave. MnDOT thanks you for your patience during the first segment of construction. Everything will be open through this weekend June 11-14.


North end complete, open

Work zone changes

Begins Mon, June 15

Hwy 169 detour
June 15- early September work zone: Hwy 169 detour south of Garrison to Bennettville. Select map to enlarge (PNG)

Hwy 169 between Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 26

Through traffic
  • Detour south of Garrison to Bennettville (PNG) via Co. Rd. 26, Co. Rd. 8, Hwy 18, Hwy 6 Bay Lake to Co. Rd. 14/11 Bennettville.
    • Please be patient the first week, it takes time to learn the new traffic set-up
    • MnDOT will monitor traffic and make adjustments where needed

Garrison open

  • MnDOT will maintain local access to those who live, work or visit areas within the closed work area between Hwy 18 in Garrison to Co. Rd. 26:
    • Temporary roundabout at Hwy 18/169
    • Monroe St. OR Central St. open to/from Hwy 169
    • Expect one-lane traffic with no shoulders, lane shifts, reduced speeds, flaggers, gravel or grooved surfaces, access/entrances will change, follow signs
    • To avoid delays, enter closest to your destination from the north or south ends of the detour, or use Hwy 18 to access the city of Garrison—shop, visit, dine, lodge or reach the Pikes Point boat landing
  • Hwy 169 open to all travelers north of Hwy 18 in Garrison to Aitkin

About this project

MnDOT will improve five miles of Hwy 169 from south of Garrison at Crow Wing Co. Rd. 26 to north of Garrison at Pike Ave. Work includes city storm sewer, sidewalk and a new roundabout at the busy Hwy 18 intersection.

Highlights

Project location map
Select map to enlarge (PNG)

In Garrison

  • Reconstruct Hwy 169 from the north and south city limits, includes adjacent entrances and road approaches
  • Construct a four-legged single lane roundabout at the intersection of Hwy 169, Hwy 18 and Monroe St.
  • Install new city storm sewer
  • Update or add pedestrian sidewalk and approaches
  • Upgrade lighting

North and south of Garrison

  • Resurface (mill and overlay) from south of Co. Rd. 26 to south of Hwy 18 in Garrison
  • Resurface north of Hwy 18 to Pike Ave., one mile north of Hwy 18 - COMPLETE June 10
  • Reconfigure turn lanes at Co. Rd. 26
  • Replace or repair drainage structures
  • Upgrade guardrail

Upcoming impacts

Traffic will be detoured most of the season. All details are tentative and subject to change.

Dates Work Impacts

Spring-early summer
  • All lanes open north of Hwy 18 in Garrison to Pike Ave. - work complete
  • Periodic lane/shoulder closures full duration of this project

Summer 2026

Construct: June 15 - early September (Labor Day)
  • Reconstruct Hwy 169 through the city of Garrison, includes: road, entrances, curb/gutter, underground storm sewer and pedestrian facilities
  • Construct roundabout at Hwy 169, Hwy 18 and Monroe St.
  • Update/ repair the St. Alban's Bay historic culvert bridge (half at a time)
  • Reconfigure turn lanes to improve access at Hwy 169 and Co. Rd. 26

Hwy 169 between Hwy 18 and Pike Ave.

  • Open - work complete

Hwy 169 between Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 26

Local access

  • Temporary roundabout at Hwy 18/169 in Garrison
  • Monroe OR Central St. will be open
  • Single-lane traffic, no shoulders, reduced speeds, lane shifts and flaggers through the work zone between Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 26

Early fall 2026
Complete work in Garrison: Begins Sept. 7 (Labor Day)
  • Construct roundabout connections
  • Remove temporary roundabout
  • Continue work between Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 26

Hwy 169 from Co. Rd. 26 to Hwy 18

  • Intersection closed to all traffic at Hwy 169, Monroe St. and Hwy 18 in Garrison
  • Road closed and detoured (PNG) via Co. Rd. 26, Co. Rd. 8, Hwy 18, Co. Rd. 6 Bay Lake and Co. Rd. 14/11 Bennettville

Local access

  • Access via sidestreets
  • Hwy 169 one lane one-way traffic, no shoulders, reduced speeds, lane shifts and flaggers

Fall 2026
Complete south end work: October

  • Resurface (reclaim/recycle road surface) from Co. Rd. 26 to south of Garrison (city limits)

Hwy 169 in Garrison

  • New road and roundabout open - work complete

Hwy 169 between Co. Rd. 26 and south limits of Garrison

Local access

  • Hwy 169 south of city limitis: one lane one-way traffic, no shoulders, reduced speeds, lane shifts and flaggers

Late fall 2026

Wrap up: November

  • Complete any remaining work on south end, includes work at the St. Alban's Bay historic culvert
  • Turf establishment may continue in 2027
  • South of Garrison to Co. Rd. 26
  • Lane/shoulder closures, flaggers

Preview the design

Layout shows the roundabout and construction concept illustrated at the Hwy 169, Hwy 18 and Monroe St. intersection, includes sidewalks (Updated November 2025).

Urban segment of Hwy 169 in Garrison from the updated preliminary layout
Garrison layout updated November 2025: Image (PNG) or download (PDF)