Hwy 169/101st Avenue Interchange Project to Pave Way for Future Development
It’s been a busy spring and summer in northwest Brooklyn Park. MnDOT road crews continue to work on the Highway 169/101st Avenue interchange project.
The city has coveted this interchange for years. It will become a reality this fall.
“Huge deal for them as far as handling traffic out there, less congestion,” said Kent Barnard, spokesperson with MnDOT. “Obviously the big one for MnDOT and Brooklyn Park and our partners out there is improving safety for people. The other thing is it is going to be huge for economic development in that area.”
Things are constantly changing at the construction site. Ultimately there will be a bridge carrying 101st Avenue traffic over the top of northbound and southbound 169. There will also be a loop and a ramp in the northeast and northwest quadrant of the interchange.
Hwy 169/101st Avenue interchange project
101st Avenue Interchange Expected to Be Boon for Development
David Regan, a local land owner, whose property is next to the interchange, says he’s happy with the upgrades being made to 101st Avenue.
“This road was in really bad shape for a long time,” Regan said. “They had to do something here because in the spring it was really soft and mushy through here. Got rid of some of those older houses up there. It just cleans the whole area up.”
Brooklyn Park and MnDOT believe the $30 million project will foster more growth in the city. Some day the hay fields next to U.S. Highway 169, Minnesota Highway 610 and 101st Avenue could become the site of a future business.
Construction on new 101st avenue overpass
“Oh absolutely,” Barnard said. “We have to look out into the future. There’s going to be quite a bit of development up in this area. I know there are rumors swirling around all the time about this business and that business. Once the interchange is completed this business and that business will be moving in.”
“It’s starting anew,” Regan said. “People are going to like this road out here because now they don’t have to go that way onto Jefferson and go through Osseo to get on the freeway. They can just jump on it here right now.”
When road crews begin putting up the bridge there will be some overnight lane closures on 169.
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