BEMIDJI, Minn. – Area residents, business owners
and others are invited to attend an open house on Wednesday, March 1 to learn
more about the reconstruction of the Highway 2 Kennedy Bridge between East
Grand Forks and Grand Forks.
Community
members are welcome to drop by anytime between 4:00 and 6:00 pm at the East
Grand Forks City Hall training room, 600 Demers Avenue. Information on the
project timeline, lane closures, short-term detours and anticipated traffic
impacts will be available. There will not be a formal presentation, but
representatives from MnDOT and the project contractor will be on hand to answer
questions.
Construction
is expected to begin in March and the bridge will remain open throughout most
of the two year project. Along with preserving the historic nature of the
bridge, the project will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and
bicyclists.
The
final design features a complete deck replacement, pier replacement, structural
repairs and new lighting. The new layout will maintain four lanes of traffic
and also adds an additional protected walkway that will connect the Greenway
Trail on each side of the river.
For
more details, including tentative project schedule, closures and project FAQ,
visit the project website: www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/kennedybridge
The
$15.66 million project is a joint design of the Minnesota Department of
Transportation, North Dakota Department of Transportation and the Federal
Highway Administration.
The
Kennedy Bridge was built in 1963 and currently serves 23,000 vehicles per day.
Two other bridges span the Red River in East Grand Forks, including the Sorlie
Bridge which underwent a $4.2 million restoration last year.
To
request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, call 651-366-4720. To
request other reasonable accommodations, call 651-366-4718 or email adarequest.dot@state.mn.us.
