Projects - North Dakota Department of Transportation

Main Avenue Reconstruction: University Drive to Red River (2019 - 2020)



Current Status:
By late afternoon Sunday, September 6, crews will open the final section of Main Avenue between 8th Street and the 10th Street South underpass bridge to traffic. Motorists and pedestrians will encounter:

  • Main Avenue between Broadway to University Drive OPEN to east – west traffic
  • University Drive counterflow lane OPEN to northbound traffic
  • Shared use path OPEN throughout the corridor on both sides of Main Avenue

Project Overview:
NDDOT together with the City of Fargo is transforming this gateway into a safe, accessible and corridor to and through the heart of Fargo. The project will improve 50 – 60-year-old underground infrastructure, aging driving surfaces and lessen pedestrian system gaps through the downtown corridor. The improved pedestrian facilities corridor will continue to serve as one of the three downtown corridors that provides a vital connection to Moorhead. Project work will be spread over two-years, 2019 – 2020.

The second phase of the Main Avenue Makeover to reconstruct the roadway between Broadway and University Drive will began on Monday, April 9. This year’s phase will also include the addition of a counter-flow, north-bound lane on University Drive from Main Ave to NP Ave will allow an additional downtown access point that bypasses the railroad tracks.

The first phase of the two-year Main Avenue Makeover is complete. This phase focused on the section between the Red River and Broadway. It also included the construction of a two-lane roundabout at 2nd Street South.

Between the Red River to Broadway intersection, Main Avenue now operates as a three-lane arterial road with upgraded pedestrian facilities, 78 on-street parallel parking spaces and a two-lane roundabout at 2nd Street South intersection. The speed limit is 30 mph.

Current Main Avenue: Five-lane roadway
Reconstructed Main Avenue: Three lanes from 2nd Street to 9th Street, transitioning to a four-lane section between 9th Street and 11th Street, and a five-lane section west of 11th Street with upgraded pedestrian facilities and additional parking through the roadway.

Project Work Timeline:
This year’s first traffic impact on Main Avenue began on Monday, April 13, at 7 a.m. between University Drive and 10th Street. The road is fully closed to traffic and detoured.

Construction will last throughout the summer and fall.

Project Work:
The 2020 project work from University Drive to Broadway will include:

  • Addition of a counter-flow, north-bound lane on University Drive from Main Ave to NP Ave
  • Upgrading existing water main and sanitary sewer system
  • Installation of new storm sewer, roadway pavement, traffic signals, street lighting and landscaping features
  • Widen pedestrian facilities on both sides of Main Avenue, with new pedestrian crossings
  • Additional on-street parking

Project Limits:
2020 work zone limits: University Drive to Broadway in Fargo
2020 traffic control limits: 14th Street intersection to 4th Street South intersection

Public Information Meetings: 

A virtual public informational meeting was held on April 9, from 2-2:30 p.m. on the NDDOT Fargo’s Facebook page.

Purpose:
Main Avenue, which is part of the NDDOT Regional Highway System, serves as an arterial roadway for people traveling into and through town. Constructed in the 1950’s, this stretch of Main Avenue is one of the oldest roads in Fargo. The pavement and underground utilities are deteriorating and in need of replacement, and without long term improvements this stretch of road will continue to cost the City a significant amount of time and financial resources created by the frequent maintenance it requires. Furthermore, the addition of the roundabout at the intersection with 2nd Street will help facilitate and improve traffic flows entering the City.

Funding:
The cost of construction is estimated to be approximately $11.5 for 2020 project work. Funding for the project will consist of a combination of the following sources:

  • Federal Highway Funds from the NDDOT’s Regional Highway System (80%)
  • Watermain Replacement Funds
  • Water Utility Funds
  • Sewer Utility Funds
  • Special Assessments
  • Sales Tax Funds

Traffic counts:
Current 2015 – Pass: 20,070; Trucks: 410; Total: 20,480
Forecast 2040 – Pass: 21,619; Trucks: 441; Total: 22,060

More Information:
This project is in partnership with the City of Fargo.

 



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