– City Council approves Road Diet Funding, awards bid

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in special meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at 10:30 AM, at City Hall, to consider the concurrence of NDDOT bid award for the Main Street Road Diet project as requested by the NDDOT. All members were present, Council Member Buchanan joined by phone.

City Engineering Travis Dillman said the total project costs come to $2,255,057.55.

The city’s share of the project costs $241,368.

He said if the city rejects the Road Diet project it will cost the city $375,000, to reimburse the NDDOT and federal dollars put into the project, including traffic studies.

Dillman said the traffic lights that were turned off on First Avenue will not be turned back on and eliminated.

Council Member Steele expressed his concerns on the project.

He indicated safety and business concerns, specifically with business disruptions during the project, and lost revenue.

Dillman said businesses will be informed on the progress of staged construction plans.

Yet this year pavement striping will be done, indicating the reduction of lanes to three lanes, one in each direction plus the turning lanes. Next spring additional project work will include installing the bump outs and bike racks.

Steele noted concerns about pedestrian safety at the crossings onto First Avenue. Dillman said he will be contacting the NDDOT concerning erecting signage or flashing beacons, to assist pedestrians, to safely cross the street.

Mayor Heinrich said the plan will improve traffic flow in Jamestown, while saying the NDDOT “made a mistake,” in not including a traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and First Avenue, North. He added that the striping of the pavement should have occurred as a test of the traffic lane changes, even before the project plans moved forward. He said residents that have concerns or more questions about the Road Diet should directly contact the NDDOT.

Following the discussion the City Council unanimously passed a Resolution approving the concurrence of NDDOT bid award for the Main Street Road Diet project as requested by the NDDOT.

The low bid of $2,255,057.55 was awarded to Tezac Concrete of Minnesota.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays and on CSi 10 The Replay Channel.

Council Member Buchanan joined by phone.

City Engineering Travis Dillman said the total project costs come to $2,255,057.55.

The city’s share of the project costs $241,368.

He said if the city rejects the Road Diet project it will cost the city $375,000, to reimburse the NDDOT and federal dollars put into the project.

Dillman said the traffic lights that were turned off will not be turned back on.

Council Member Steele expressed his concerns on the project.

He indicated safety and business concerns, specifically with business distruptions during the project, and lost revenue.

Dillman said businesses will be informed on the progress of staged construction plans.

Yet this year pavement striping will be done, indicating the turning lanes, and the reduction of traffic lanes. Next spring additional project work will include installing the bump outs, and bike racks.

Steele noted concerns about pedestrian safety at the crossings onto First Avenue. Dillman said he will be contacting the NDDOT to erect signage or flashing beacons, to assist pedestrians, to safely cross the street.

Following the discussion the City Council passed a Resolution approving the concurrence of NDDOT bid award for the Main Street Road Diet project as requested by the NDDOT.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.