exit260-2Jamestown (CSi) The NDDOT and Interstate Engineering are looking at replacing the I-94 Exit 260 westbound bridge near Jamestown, and held a public input meeting, Tuesday evening at the Gladstone Inn & Suites in Jamestown.

The open house featured proposals from the NDDOT and Interstate Engineering on replacing the bridge and loop near the exit.  PDF of proposal.

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exit260-1North Dakota Department of Transportation’s John Thompson said the bridge needs replacement, and, as important, is how traffic flow will proceed if the loop is taken out.

NDDOT Bridge Division’s Randall Sandvig gave information on the proposed 2017 project. Sandvig sais that there were many reasons why the NDDOT made the decision that the 1958 bridge needed to be replaced.

Sandvig added that the project would let bids in March 2017 and construction could begin as early as May 2017.

Public comment are being sought in order to determine how to detour the bridge while it is under construction and the effect on traffic flow.

Sandvig said the bridge and its support structures need to be replaced as the bridge was recently classified as “structurally deficient” by DOT engineers. The bridge was built in 1958 and had repair work done on the support structures and paving in 1984.

There are two proposed detours for the project. A 4.76 mile detour through the city or a temporary off-ramp for westbound traffic.

Sandvig said that the cost would vary, depending on which steps are taken. If a through-city detour is approved, the cost would be $4,151,500. If the temporary off-ramp is approved, the cost would be $431,500 more.

The estimated project time will be roughly 6 months. Public comment about the bridge project may be sent by email to rsandvig@nd.gov.

Also….

Pingree (CSi) Discussion was held at a public input meeting Tuesday in Pingree about the proposed improvements at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and N.D. Highway 36 at Pingree.

The proposal included a possible northbound left-turning lane, southbound right turning lane, removal of a flashing beacon and others.