About the Project

Highway 169 impacts the safety, economy, and quality of life in Northern Minnesota.

The section of U.S. Highway 169 that stretches from Grand Rapids to Virginia is a critical thoroughfare for residents, businesses, freight, and visitors of the Iron Range. Since the 1980s, most of the corridor has been gradually modernized and expanded thanks to advocacy from residents, organizations, and elected officials from the Iron Range communities along Highway 169. Just eight miles of two-lane roadway remain, running between Taconite and Pengilly in Itasca County.

Image courtesy of Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in partnership with Itasca County and other local organizations, conducted an initial study of the area from 2022 to 2023 to evaluate the existing conditions along the corridor and lay groundwork for future assessments and solutions. According to MnDOT, an average of more than 6,000 vehicles drive on U.S. Highway 169 between Taconite and Pengilly each day. Many key industries, including mining, manufacturing, and forestry rely on the corridor to move freight. The remaining 8 miles of two-lane highway impact freight movement and commute times, but also raise safety concerns. Between 2017 and 2021, MnDOT documented 76 reported accidents on Highway 169 between Taconite and Pengilly, with 3 people killed and 3 more seriously injured – a crash rate 60% higher than other comparable roadways in Minnesota.

An estimated $150 million will be needed to complete improvements to Highway 169 and create a safe and efficient route throughout the Iron Range.

The project has received a total of $6 million from the state and $4.9 million in federal grants to support planning and engineering costs. However, the cost of a four-lane expansion for the 8-mile segment is estimated at nearly $150 million dollars. The Range Gateway Coalition is working to secure the state and federal funds needed to finally complete the Cross Range Expressway and make Highway 169 safer and more efficient for our communities and businesses.

Project Updates