Road Report: April 15, 2024

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 underway

Benson & I-229: Work is continuing on the Benson Road and Interstate 229 interchange project.

Underground utility work is nearing completion on the south side of the street west of the interstate, and grading work is in progress.

Crews are also working on the bridge over the interstate.

This project will be the city’s second diverging diamond interchange to open — after 41st Street and Interstate 29 opens later this spring — and is expected to be complete in the spring of 2025.

41st & I-29: Work is continuing on the 41st Street and I-29 interchange project.

An inside median lane closure began April 12 for the northbound and southbound lanes of I-29 from 41st to 49th streets to allow crews to work on painting the overpass.

A section of the lane closure was already in place as part of maintenance work near 49th Street. This lane closure will be in place for approximately one month.

Other work in progress includes curb and gutter placement for the channelizing islands, sidewalk installation, landscaping and construction of a cul-de-sac on Carolyn Avenue just north of 41st Street.

Work on this project is expected to be complete in June.

33rd Street: Portions of the parking lanes along both sides of 33rd Street between Dakota and Fourth avenues closed Saturday to allow Xcel Energy to install power poles. This work is expected to be complete by the end of April.

National Work Zone Awareness Week

This week also marks National Work Zone Awareness Week, so here’s a timely reminder to stay alert and slow down in construction areas. Maybe even show your support for the crews working to improve our community by sharing this story using #NWZAW on social media.

What’s next

Sycamore Avenue: Beginning today, the southbound lanes of Sycamore Avenue will be closed between Sixth Street and Arrowhead Parkway to allow crews to perform concrete joint repairs, partial depth concrete repairs, and curb and gutter repairs. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained in the northbound lanes. In the upcoming weeks, the location of the lane closures on Sycamore will vary between Madison Street and Arrowhead Parkway. At a minimum, one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open at all times. Access to businesses, parks and schools will be maintained. This project is expected to be complete in November.

Arrowhead Park trails: Beginning today, construction will begin on improvements to the trails at Arrowhead Park. The asphalt portions of the existing trails will be replaced with a new concrete surface, and spot repairs will be made to the concrete portions of the existing trail. The northern parking lot off of 26th Street will be closed, and southern portions of the park will be accessible from the southern parking lot until mid-May. After that, the southern parking lot will be closed, and northern portions of the park will be accessible from the northern parking lot between mid-May and mid-July.  Visitors are urged to use caution and avoid areas of the park under construction. Work is expected to be complete in mid-July.

Shirley Avenue: Beginning Wednesday, the outside northbound lane on Shirley Avenue will be closed from 41st Street to Shirley Place to allow crews to install a sidewalk. This work is expected to be complete in about one week