Environmental Assessment released for the Baudette/Rainy River International Bridge replacement project

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to attend an open house and public hearing on Tuesday, February 21 regarding the proposed replacement of the Baudette/Rainy River International Bridge.

The open house and public hearing will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the City of Baudette Council Chambers 106 Main Street West in Baudette. The event will provide an opportunity for citizens to review the proposed project and potential environmental impacts, make comments, and ask questions. MnDOT officials will be available to answer questions.

The Environmental Assessment/Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EA/EAW) document states the purpose and need of the project along with the anticipated social, economic, and environmental impacts.  The document is available on the project website at www.mndot.gov/baudette-bridge.

Copies of the EA/EAW are available upon request in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. The documents are also available for public viewing during business hours at the following locations:

·         Baudette Public Library, 110 First Ave SW, Baudette, MN 56623

·         MnDOT District 2 Office, 3920 Highway 2 West, Bemidji, MN 56601

·         MnDOT Library, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, St. Paul, MN  55155

·         Environmental Conservation Library, Hennepin County Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN  54401

Written comments will be accepted at the public hearing or via mail, prior to the close of the 45-day public comment period on March 23, 2017, to Joseph McKinnon, Project Manager, 3920 Highway 2 West, Bemidji, MN 56601.

The project to replace the bridge is a joint effort between the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. It will provide a more structurally sound crossing, which will improve mobility between the two cities.

To view project materials and designs, or stay connected with the project:

Check the website at www.mndot.gov/baudette-bridge  

Sign up for project email updates

Join the interactive discussion

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.

Open house for Kennedy Bridge reconstruction set for March 1

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.

Temporary lane closure on EGF Kennedy Bridge Mar. 10

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists entering Minnesota on Highway 2 in East Grand Forks will experience a temporary lane closure on the southern eastbound lane of the Kennedy Bridge on Mar. 10, weather permitting.

The closure allows MnDOT bridge crews to perform an inspection in anticipation of a two-year rehabilitation project scheduled to begin this fall. That project includes a redesign of the bridge deck to add a multi-use lane for bicycles and pedestrians.

The inspection will begin after 8 a.m. and delays should be minimal. Drivers are urged to slow down, eliminate distractions and obey all signs.

For real-time travel information and road conditions anywhere in Minnesota, visit www.511mn.org.

East Grand Forks bridge maintenance and inspections begin May 18

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists in East Grand Forks will observe bridge work beginning Monday, May 18, through Thursday, May 21 as crews maintain and inspect the Kennedy and Sorlie bridges in East Grand Forks.

Traffic will be periodically reduced to one lane on the eastbound and westbound sides of the four-lane Kennedy bridge as crews work. Both lanes on the two-lane Sorlie bridge will remain open. Most work will take place during business hours.

Drivers are urged to slow down to posted speeds in the work zones.

Crews inspect bridges every two years to ensure that they are in good condition. They will use specialized equipment to look for cracks, damage and other issues.

For statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org.

Fargo Pedestrian detour route in place

FARGO, N.D. (June 2, 2014) – Beginning today, the pedestrian walkway along 25th Street South between 18th Street South and 20th Avenue South will be closed. Pedestrians will be detoured down 18th Street and 20th Avenue South to use the Pedestrian walk bridge that crosses over interstate and is located between 25th Street South and University Drive South.

This closure is needed so that crews can begin work on a new off ramp from 25th Street South to merge on to I-94 eastbound. There will also be a retaining wall built adjacent to the ramp.

A map of the detour can be found here: http://www.nddotfargo.com/updates/pedestrian-detour-route-in-place-for-25th-street-south-work-zone

This detour will be used throughout the remainder of the 25th Street South reconstruction project which has an estimated end date in November, weather permitting.

Bridge work near completion on Highway 317

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Lane restrictions have been removed on the Highway 317 bridge over the Red River in Marshall County.

The restrictions have been in place since July 15 to allow crews to conduct repairs and repaint the bridge. Crews will continue working in the area to wrap up final touches.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation was the lead agency on the project with MnDOT bearing half of the $1.5 million total cost. The project provided a safer bridge for motorists.

For more updates on this, and other projects in the region follow us on Twitter @mndotnorthwest, or log on to www.511mn.org for real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota.

Open house for Kennedy Bridge Planning Study set for July 17

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The public is invited to ask questions and provide comments about the Kennedy Bridge Planning Study at public listening sessions on Wednesday, July 17, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m., at the East Grand Forks Campbell Library (Tech Room), 422 Fourth Street NW, East Grand Forks, Minn. and Grand Forks City Hall (Council Chambers), 255 North Fourth Street, Grand Forks, N.D.

The open house includes two short presentations, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and residents can review project materials and speak one-on-one with members of the project team, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Residents are encouraged to attend and learn about the project, discuss issues, and provide comments in an informal setting.

The Highway 2 Kennedy Bridge over the Red River is being evaluated to determine a long-term plan for maintaining this important crossing. A range of options are being considered and input from residents will be used to help define the objectives and potential impacts of the project by understanding the needs of its users.

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, call Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota); 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). Alternatively, send an email to janet.rae.miller@state.mn.us. Please request at least one week in advance.

For more information, visit http://www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/kennedybridge/

For statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org, call 5-1-1 or log on to www.mndot.gov.