FARGO, N.D. (April 19, 2016) – Beginning at 6 a.m. on Thursday, April 21st, contractors for the City ofFargo will start work on the 13th Avenue South reconstruction project that is expected to improve one ofthe most-traveled roads in Fargo. On Thursday, drivers, pedestrians, residents and business owners will notice crews installing traffic control devices through the work zone, from roughly the I-29 interchange to 45th Street.
Following traffic control device installation, project work will begin with crews removing center medians through this stretch of 13th Ave. S. One lane in each direction will close to allow room for project work, and traffic will run in the eastbound and westbound outside lanes. This traffic pattern should last approximately two to three weeks and speeds will be reduced to 25 mph.
“Because contractors will be removing the median and parts of the road, there will be increased truck traffic in the area,” said Jeremy Gorden, transportation division engineer for the City of Fargo. “Crews will not only be working in the center, but will be installing temporary light poles on the intersection corners of 13th. Please pay attention to flaggers and keep your eyes on the road, so we can make sure everyone passes safely through the work zone.”
For most of the remaining work, traffic will be head-to-head, one lane in each direction, first on the south side of 13th Ave. then switching to the north side. At least one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open throughout construction and business access will be maintained.
Motorists should plan for delays and are encouraged to be patient when traveling through the work zone. They should also be aware of intermittent intersection closures at 44th Street, 43rd ½ Street, 43rd Street and 40th Street, and limited left hand turns at these intersections.
“This heavy traffic stretch along 13th Avenue is busy without construction,” Gorden said. “The road connects more than 30,000 vehicles per day to hundreds of businesses. We ask that both drivers and business owners be patient as we move through this dynamic work zone together. We look forward to the road ahead, bringing you more safety and better access this fall.”
The reconstruction of 13th Ave. S will run through October and will replace aging infrastructure to improve both pedestrian and motorist safety through the corridor. The project will widen 13th Ave. to a six-lane roadway to accommodate increasing traffic volumes.
Additional project work consists of:
- Complete roadway reconstruction of eastbound and westbound driving lanes with median
- Upgraded storm sewer system
- Addition of new sidewalks and shared use paths
- Miscellaneous water main replacement improvements
- Street light and traffic signal updates
- New landscaping
This project marks the final phase of the city’s reconstruction plans for 13th Ave. S east of 45th St. and fixes necessary infrastructure and safety improvements highlighted in a 2008 corridor study.
