Second phase of Main Avenue reconstruction complete
A special dedication ceremony signifying the end of the second phase of West Fargo's Main Avenue reconstruction on the 1.4 mile long stretch from Sixth Street East to 45th Street was held Monday in front of Adesa Auto Auction near the corner of 17th Street East and Main Avenue where new street lights were also installed.
The work, which began last April, included rebuilding the roadway and removal of most of the frontage roads to eliminate unneeded conflict points, and adding a storm sewer.
Attending were a variety city and state officials, members of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, who oversaw the project, as well as local business leaders.
Speakers included Governor Jack Dalrymple, Senator John Hoeven, and West Fargo Mayor Rich Mattern.
Mattern described the project completion "as another chapter in the transformation of Main Avenue. The traveling public will find a much safer roadway, good access to the business community and a roadway that is very appealing."
He added that he wanted to thank the businesses along the corridor for their patience this summer. "I know it wasn't easy for them, but now I would encourage the public to travel the new corridor to find out just how much better the roadway actually is."
The need for the reconstruction was driven by a number of deficiencies along the project corridor with the end result improving traffic flow and area drainage, creating direct business access, and increasing safety for the traveling public.
The project also included new street lights, traffic lights, and ADA accessible multi-use pedestrian paths.
Cost of the project was $14.6 million with the cost share split $3.2 million locally, state $1.3 million, and federal $10.1 million.
The first phase of reconstruction which involved Sixth Street West near the Sheyenne River to Fifth Street East was completed in 2009 at a cost of $8.6 million.
A third phase of Main Avenue reconstruction from Sixth Street West at the Sheyenne River to Interstate-94 estimated at $15 million is projected for 2015 if federal funding is available By the time the seven-year plan is totally said and done, approximately four miles of reconstructed roadway will be involved.
