Why was Hwy 169 closed and traffic detoured to Washington and Front Streets?
This decision was made for three reasons: (1) construction can be completed much more quickly and safely when traffic does not have to be maintained on the roadway under construction and this reduces economic impacts; (2) underground utilities in the section between Broadway and Jefferson require very deep excavation, essentially required most of the roadway width; and (3) traffic flows more smoothly and predictably on detour routes than through a construction zone.
