TH 169 Redefine Elk River: Pioneering Innovation and Community Impact 

The transformative TH 169 Redefine Elk River project was an initiative that exemplifies WSB’s commitment to innovation, safety, and community impact. 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) received special legislative funding through the Corridors of Commerce program to convert Highway 169 from the Mississippi River to the 197^th Avenue into a freeway system through the City of Elk River. WSB was honored to lead the final design for this high-profile project, which included converting four at-grade traffic intersections into interchanges and modifying highway access to improve safety and traffic flow. 

With a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) construction cap of $130 million, our team embraced an iterative and flexible design approach. Utilizing Bentley tools, we optimized designs and provided real-time quantities that would not have been possible on a traditional schedule. 

One of the project’s most remarkable achievements was the early relocation of 310, 024 linear feet (58.7 miles) of utilities-originally scheduled for spring 2023 but completed by July 2022 thanks to advanced clash detection tools. This early completion allowed most utilities to be relocated by August 2021, enabling the CMGC to begin construction two interchanges in 2022 and saving half a million dollars in inflation costs alone. 

WSB was proud to deliver MnDOT’s first paperless roadway construction plan set for this project, alongside traditional submittals. By leveraging 3D and 4D modeling technologies, we enhanced connectivity. It also marked a pivotal moment in WSB’s history as our first fully modeled digital delivery project, paving the way for similar innovations across the country. 

Over 100 WSB staff members contributed to this project, working in partnership with MnDOT, Ames Construction, the City of Elk River, and Sherburne County. These collaborations were instrumental in embracing digital delivery and achieving project success. 

Reflecting on the project, we are most proud of the team’s ability to embrace the 3D and 4D world, the positive community feedback, and the regional impact. As Elk River City Engineer, Justin Fermite noted, “WSB focused on understanding and incorporating the aesthetic elements important to our community for the project. They used innovation and technical modeling to allow our city and MnDOT to better understand construction impacts on businesses and residents in Elk River and improve how we communicated with the public.” 

The TH 169 Redefine Elk River project was completed in 2024, leaving a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and community enhancement.