Hwy 169 Construction: Adjust Routes, Expect Delays

With a portion of Highway 169 reduced to one lane, many Shakopee drivers turned to Highway 101. 

Highway 101 was backed up too and the Shakopee Police Department received several phone calls Monday morning about the congestion.

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate had this advice for drivers: "Allow extra time and take different routes," he said.

Due to the increased traffic to Highway 101, he also suggested that drivers turn onto the road at a traffic light.

"It's a major inconvenience, but it's temporary," Tate said.

The construction on Highway 169 is part of the Bloomington Ferry Bridge project, which will be completed by late August, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Avoiding Highway 169

MnDOT suggests Highway 101, Highway 41 and Interstate I-35W as alternative routes. 

While BlueXpress Bus transit service is adding an extra bus in the evening and will have one ready in the morning, drivers should still take the bus earlier than usual to allow for traffic delays. Buses might also be late due to construction in the Twin Cities area.

A Twitter user suggested an app called Waze, which can help drivers find other routes in real time. 

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