Road Report: July 24, 2023

Construction season is here, so we’re back with our weekly look at what projects are done, where you’ll find traffic impacts and what’s scheduled next.

What’s done

Cliff Avenue: The Cliff Avenue overlay project between 11th and 26th streets has been completed, and the road is open.

Check out how it turned out!

Bike trail: Numerous areas of the bike trail were given a seal coat and now are open.

Seal coating is a practice for preserving bike trails and ensuring their longevity. By applying a protective layer of sealant to the asphalt surface, the bike trail gains several advantages.

Seal coating forms a barrier against water infiltration, preventing moisture from seeping into the asphalt and causing cracks or potholes. This helps extend the trail’s life span and reduces the need for costly repairs.

Seal coating also protects the surface from the damaging effects of UV rays, which can cause oxidation and lead to premature degradation of the asphalt.

What’s underway

41st & I-29: Work continues at the 41st Street and Interstate 29 interchange project. Utility work should be completed this week on 41st with grading and paving to follow.

Lane closures are planned at the intersection from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday for crews to install steel girders to support the bridge structure. During the evening Wednesday and until Thursday morning, there will be two-way traffic in the southbound lanes. During the evening Thursday and into Friday morning, there will be two-way traffic in the northbound lanes. The northbound on-ramp that was closed July 17 will remain closed until early September.

Paving of the north half of the bridge should start in the next two weeks. Work is still on track to be complete in the spring or early summer of 2024.  For additional details, visit the project website at 41stddi.com.

41st Street: Work should be complete by the end of next week on the ADA accessibility improvements project on 41st Street between Western and Minnesota avenues.

Crews are finishing up sidewalk on the south side of 41st between Grange and Minnesota avenues.

26th & Minnesota: The outside lanes for both northbound and southbound traffic on Minnesota Avenue will continue to be closed just before 26th Street. Also, only the outside eastbound lane on 26th just west of Minnesota will be open for all eastbound traffic. The work is expected to take another week, with all lanes reopened by Friday.

What’s next

26th Street: Beginning today, the eastbound lanes of 26th Street will be closed from Cleveland to Alpine avenues to allow crews to make improvements to the ADA accessibility and roadway along the corridor. Two-way traffic will be maintained with one lane in each direction on the north side of 26th with left turns at major signalized intersections. This is the first of two phases of the project, which includes both sides of 26th from Cleveland to Alpine. The entire project is anticipated to be completed by late fall.

Burnside Street: Beginning today, the westbound lane of Burnside Street between Western and Sigler avenues will be closed to allow crews to perform concrete work. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be complete in three weeks.

Marion Road: Beginning today, the southbound lane of Marion Road between Madison Street and Bluebird Place will be closed to allow crews to make improvements to the ADA accessibility along the west side of the road. This work will include accessible curb ramps and sidewalks. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.  Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be complete by mid-August.

Producer Lane: Beginning today, Producer Lane will be closed between Wilcox Drive and Velocity Avenue to allow crews to work on a water line. The work is expected to be complete and open by Thursday.

Potsdam Avenue: Potsdam Avenue will be closed at Benson Road from today until July 31 for the installation of utilities and grading. The contractor is closing only the north side of the intersection. The south side of Potsdam Avenue will be open. Benson traffic will be able to travel south on Potsdam. During the weeklong closure, Potsdam traffic will be detoured around the project on Lewis Avenue. Access will be maintained for local businesses. Motorists should be aware that Potsdam Avenue will be reopened on a gravel surface.

I-229 & Benson: Overnight closures are planned at the Interstate 229 and Benson Road diverging diamond interchange construction project as crews begin to set concrete girders. Northbound I-229 will be closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday, and southbound I-229 will be closed from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday. On the first night of work, northbound I-229 traffic will be detoured at the Rice Street and I-229 interchange to Rice, Cliff Avenue and Interstate 90. During the second night, southbound I-229 traffic will be detoured at the Cliff Avenue and I-90 interchange to Cliff, Rice Street and I-229. Benson Road will remain open from Cliff to I-229.