Monday morning drivers approaching Hwy. 169 on 93rd Avenue in Brooklyn Park will find the avenue closed as work begins on a new interchange.

The avenue (County Road 30) will close around 9 a.m. Monday from Xylon Avenue on the east to about 5th Avenue in Osseo on the west. The closure is expected to last until the $8.2 million project is finished in October.

The current traffic signal at the intersection of 169 and 93rd will be removed Monday between the morning and afternoon rush hours (169 will remain open while that's done, with lane restrictions). That will leave 169 traffic-light-free from Shakopee to Champlin.

The interchange project "should not impact traffic on 169," said Jeff Holstein, Brooklyn Park traffic engineer. However, building a bridge to carry 93rd over the highway will periodically require narrowing 169 during weekends, nights or off-peak hours, he said.

Hwy. 169 drivers who would have turned onto 93rd will need to use Hwy. 610 or Devil's Triangle exits. Detours will be posted.

JIM ADAMS