Jamestown (CSi) The public gave its thoughts Thursday at the Gladstone Inn & Suites in Jamestown concerning a proposed project to improve just over a 20-mile section of North Dakota Highway 20.

The proposed $6.8-million project includes widening and resurfacing the highway from the Jamestown city limit north about 4 miles. That, according to Brad Humphreys, senior project manager for Stanley Consultants, a Bismarck-based engineer firm designing the project.

Construction on the project is expected to start in spring 2016.

The Valley City district engineer for the Department of Transportation, John Thompson, pointed out that the entire project length is about 22 miles. After the first 4 miles, the remainder of the project will be resurfacing the highway.

The majority of the project is a preventative, maintenance-type project, an overlay, not a reconstruction.

The project includes adding 2 feet of shoulder to both sides of the highway in the first 4 miles of the project will improve driver and pedestrian safety.

Paul Marsalek, commented that the highway is rough in spots, and that it needs widening. He has driven that 20-mile stretch between Jamestown and his house for the last 50 years.

Public comments about the project will be taken by Stanley Consultants Inc. through March 20. All comments must reference NDDOT Project No. SS-2-020(016)001, PCN: 18853. Written comments should be sent to Brad Humphreys, 600 S. 2nd St., Suite 120, Bismarck ND 58504. Email comments should be sent to humphreysbrad@stanleygroup.com <mailto:humphreysbrad@stanleygroup.com> with “Public Input Meeting” in the email subject head. Call (701) 989-7021 for more information.