Zone: South
Project: 32nd Avenue Reconstruction Project
This week drivers will see two updates to traffic control in the 32nd Avenue South reconstruction and Interstate 29 (I-29) bridge widening project. Drivers should stay alert, and pay attention to the traffic control signs as crews start making these changes on Wednesday, July 19.
Beginning Wednesday morning by 7 AM, southbound traffic exiting I-29 to enter 32nd Ave S traffic will begin to use the newly constructed southwest loop ramp at the bridge. At the same time when the new loop ramp opens in the work zone, crews will close the northwest off-ramp to southbound traffic. All southbound I-29 traffic heading to 32nd Ave S will exit on the new southwest loop ramp and proceed to the traffic signal light where traffic will turn left to enter westbound traffic and turn right to enter eastbound traffic on 32nd Ave S. This means five of the six I-29 ramps located along 32nd Ave S will be open for traffic. See the map below for details.
Project work will start on installing the new pedestrian access route under the northwest I-29 exit ramp, near Pilot Flying J Travel Stop. A box culvert will be installed with lighting as an alternative path for bike or pedestrian traffic to travel through the area. Crews will begin the project work to upgrade the driving surface of this exiting exit ramp.
Also on Wednesday, crews will begin to work on two south side intersections in the east side of the reconstruction work zone. Weather permitting, this week’s work schedule for the south side intersections includes:
- Weds, July 19: South side intersection of 33rd St S and 32nd Ave S will fully close to traffic for one day. Crews will remove the old pavement and gravel the intersection to prepare it for paving, which will occur at a later date. The intersection will reopen by Thursday morning. Access to 33rd St S will be via 35th Ave S.
- Thursday, July 20: South side intersection of 32nd St S and 32nd Ave S will be accessible to southbound only traffic for the next three weeks. One lane of traffic will remain open for southbound traffic as crews work on half of the intersection at a time to remove old pavement and begin paving the new intersection. Crews will shift to the other half of the intersection and continue to maintain one lane of southbound traffic once work is complete on the other half. Northbound traffic will be detoured via 35th Ave S. The driveway and emergency access for the hospital is not involved in these removals or paving operations and will remain fully accessible off of 32nd St S.
Traffic patterns through the rest of work zone will remain the same:
- West of 39th Street S: Side-by-side traffic carried on the new, north side pavement through the west end of the work zone, two lanes for westbound drivers and one lane for eastbound drivers, with separate turning lanes in each direction
- East of 36th St S: Side-by-side traffic carried on the north side through the east end of the work zone, one lane in each direction with separate turn lanes
As a reminder, the speed limit on 32nd Ave. is reduced to 25 mph and 45 mph on I-29. Crews are working near oncoming traffic in parts of the work zone, so drivers are asked to slow down, eliminate distractions and pay attention to signage.