Zone: Downtown
Project: Main Avenue Reconstruction Project
By early evening Friday, May 15, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the City of Fargo contractors will remove all lane closures within the University Drive and Main Avenue intersection.
Motorist can expect the following traffic pattern through the intersection:
- Three southbound through lanes on University Drive
- Single right-turn lane from University Drive onto westbound Main Avenue
- New northbound counterflow lane on University Drive between Main Avenue and NP Avenue
Main Avenue remains closed to traffic between east of University Drive to west of the 10th Street South Underpass bridge as well as east of 8th Street South and west of Broadway. Speeds are reduced to 25 mph where traffic control is present.
This week crews began paving operations along Main Avenue within the first traffic impact section between University Drive to west of the 10th Street South Underpass bridge. As project work progresses, crews will fully close the Main Avenue and 8th Street South intersection for up to two months beginning late May. Business access and pedestrian traffic will be maintained.
Local access is maintained to all the north side businesses located in the project zone by use of 1st Avenue South to adjacent side streets. Motorists can then cross north or south over Main Avenue via:
- 10th Street South (underpass frontage road, near the old McDonald’s)
- 11th Street South, 12th Street South, or 8th Street South
The contractor can work on the project phases concurrently with restrictions on days for intersection work. Over the next weeks, motorists should expect additional reduced lanes or full roadway closures of Main Avenue as they move into the next phases of project work. The traffic impacts for the phase work will include:
- Main Avenue between 10th Street and 8th Street (fourth traffic impact): The remaining roadway of Main Avenue will be reconstructed west of 8th Street South intersection.
- 10th Street South Underpass Bridge (last traffic impact): The steel bridge deck under Main Avenue for the 10th Street South underpass will be replaced. There will be short-term lane closures on 10th Street South.
Drivers should plan to use the posted detour route to cross the Red River into Moorhead until project work is complete in mid-October. The posted detour route north of Main Avenue is 1st Avenue North and south of Main Avenue is 1st Avenue South between University Drive to 2nd St S.
Pedestrian access to all businesses along Main Avenue is provided. The NDDOT and the City of Fargo urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones stating, “road closed.”
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The two-year makeover of Main Avenue in downtown Fargo is a joint project between the NDDOT and City of Fargo to transform this gateway into a safe, accessible and beautiful passageway to and through the heart of Fargo.
In 2020, the final year of reconstruction work in the downtown area will improve Main Avenue between west of Broadway to east of University Drive, including the addition of a counter flow lane for northbound driving lane on University Drive to detour traffic between Main Avenue and NP Avenue. This lane will remain once construction is complete to add another railroad underpass in downtown.
Last year crews completed the first year of improvements ahead of schedule that improved the roadway, pedestrian facilities and upgrade the underground infrastructure between the Red River to Broadway, including the construction of a two-lane roundabout at 2nd Street South intersection.
When the roadway is complete this fall, Main Avenue roadway will be a hybrid design consisting of a:
- 3-lane alternative from 2nd Street to 9th Street South, as well as double-lane roundabout at the Main Avenue and 2nd Street South intersection
- 4-lane section between 9th Street South and 11th Street South
- 5-lane section west of 11th Street
- View the future Main Avenue Alternative E: Drive-through Animation
The cost of construction is estimated to be $11.5 million for 2020 project work, totaling about $23 million in improvements over the two-year project. Funding for the project will consist of a combination of federal, state and local assessments.
Constructed in the 1950's, this full stretch of Main Avenue is one of the oldest roads in Fargo. The project will improve 50 – 60-year-old underground infrastructure, an aging driving surface and lessen the pedestrian system gaps through the downtown corridor. The 2019 – 2020 project work from the Red River to University Drive includes:
- Upgrade existing water main, sanitary sewer system and storm sewer
- Construction of two-lane roundabout at the 2nd St intersection
- Replace 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
- Addition of a counter flow lane creating a northbound driving lane on University Drive to detour traffic between Main Avenue and NP Avenue
During the design phase in October 2018, and after receiving feedback from property owners, the NDDOT and City of Fargo split the scope of work into two separate projects.
Fargo Main Avenue (US Highway 10) is part of the NDDOT Regional Highway System and serves as an arterial connection between Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
There will not be in-person public information meetings held at this time. Regular project updates will be facilitated through Facebook LIVE videos through the start of the project season. Project staff will share more about the progress of the project work and be available to answer questions.
Virtual Meeting Details:
- WHEN: Biweekly, every other Thursday
- WHERE: NDDOT Fargo District Facebook page
- Video updates will be archived to be viewed at any time on the page