FARGO, N.D. (May 5, 2014) — Beginning May 6th at 4 a.m.,
crews will begin work on 25th Street South in Fargo. One lane will be closed in
each direction between 17th Avenue and 23rd Avenue. During this
phase, traffic will be traveling in the outside lanes. Turn lanes will
also be shortened or not accessible in this stretch.
Lane closures will be needed on I-94 to widen the bridge
pier in the median. The widened pier is needed to support the widening of the
bridge and roadway above I-94. This work is tentatively scheduled to start next
week.
This project will add an additional lane in each
direction on the stretch between 17th Avenue and 23rd Avenue, including
widening the bridge that crosses I-94. An on-ramp will be added for northbound
traffic on 25th Street South to enter eastbound I-94 without crossing traffic.
At the completion of the project, motorists will increase from two to three
lanes of traffic in each direction, with a center turning lane.
“By adding a lane each direction in this stretch, we will
address the additional traffic that uses 25th street on their daily
commute,” says Kevin Gorder, assistant district engineer for the NDDOT Fargo
District. “Since the bridge was built in 1990, the surrounding
neighborhoods and business communities have grown and more traffic travels
through this corridor. This project, when completed, will allow more traffic to
pass through the corridor with less congestion during rush hour.”
During construction, motorists can expect:
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Significant delays, as there will be reduced lanes of traffic on 25th
Street throughout the project, and occasional reduced lanes of traffic on I-94
during beam setting on the bridge widening portion of the project.
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Additional congestion through project area, as turn lanes will be
shortened or not provided during construction. Vehicles turning off the roadway
will need to wait for breaks in traffic.
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Reduced speeds in the work zone to ensure safety for the traveling
public, as well as the crews that will be working adjacent to traffic.
The NDDOT Fargo District suggests using an alternate
route if possible.
“Motorists need to pay attention as they drive through
this work zone,” says Gorder. “There will be a lot of start and stop traffic,
and cars will be head to head. At times there may be trucks entering the work
zones as well. Planning for additional delays and eliminating distractions such
as cell phones and food will move traffic smoothly though the work zone.”
This project is expected to wrap up in November 2014,
weather permitting
