2026 work: Hwy 169 Garrison, Crow Wing County

2026 roadwork

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.; includes city storm sewer, sidewalk and a new roundabout at the busy Hwy 18 intersection.

Latest

Sign up for Hwy 169—Garrison construction email updates
Updated layout of roundabout (November 2026)
Tentative 2026 schedule, work and impacts
- How project begins:
  - Clear trees along the road: until mid-April
  - Prepare work zone: May 1
  - Road closes/detours north of Hwy 18: May 11

Summary of work

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 and north of Hwy 18 to Pike Ave., one mile north of Hwy 1811
Reconfigure turn lanes at Co. Rd. 26
Replace or repair drainage structures

Repair and update the St. Alban's Bay historic bridge/culvert

Upgrade guardrail

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)*

Future impacts

Spring-fall 2026

Construction will begin after the Fishing Opener on Monday, May 11. Traffic will be detoured most of the season. Those who travel through the work zone will encounter single-lane traffic with no shoulders, use of alternate entrances, hard closures, flaggers and reduced speeds.

Schedule at a glance

All details are tentative and subject to change. Weather and materials may also change the schedule.

Dates	Work	Impacts
Late spring 2026 Prep work: May 1-11 Construct: May 11 (after fishing opener) - mid-June	Prepare work areas, includes road widening near Co. Rd. 26 and temporary roundabout at Hwy 169/Hwy 18 intersection in Garrison Resurface (mill and pave asphalt) the north end of Hwy 169 from Hwy 18 in Garrison to north limits	Hwy 169 between Hwy 18 and Pike Ave. Road closed and detoured (PNG) via Hwy 18 Garrison, Hwy 6 Bay Lake to Co. Rd. 14/11 Bennettville Local access maintained; however, expect changes and delays Hwy 169 between Hwy 18 and Co. Rd. 24 Expect single-lane traffic, no shoulders and reduced speeds
Summer 2026 Construct: Mid-June - Sept. 7 (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. 24 Road closed and detoured (PNG) via Co. Rd. 26, Co. Rd. 8, Hwy 18, Hwy 6 Bay Lake to Co. Rd. 14/11 Bennettville 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
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 Segments closed and road detoured (PNG) via Co. Rd. 26, Co. Rd. 8 and Hwy 18 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