Road Report: April 10, 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 underway

41st & I-29: Work restarted last week on the 41st Street and Interstate 29 interchange reconstruction project. This year’s work will focus on the interchange itself and on 41 between I-29 and Shirley Avenue.

Traffic on 41st east of I-29 is reduced to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane on the south side of 41st. Traffic shifts to the north side of 41st at I-29.  Access will be maintained to all businesses located along 41st Street.

As part of this project, access to Carolyn Avenue from 41st will be permanently closed, with a cul-de-sac constructed on Carolyn. Businesses located on Carolyn can be accessed from the north via 38th or 34th streets. Signage will be in place to help guide motorists to Carolyn from 41st. Work is expected to be fully complete in early 2024. For additional details, visit the project website at 41stddi.com.

Benson & I-229: Work began last week on the Benson Road and Interstate 229 interchange reconstruction project. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained on Benson Road west of I-229, but Benson is closed east of I-229 for the construction season.

This project will reconstruct the Benson Road and I-229 interchange into a diverging diamond configuration and will feature the city’s first triple left turn lane when the project is completed. West of I-229, Benson will be widened to three lanes in each direction with turn lanes and a raised median.

East of I-229, Benson Road will be widened to two lanes in each direction with turn lanes and a raised median.  This project is expected to be complete in June 2025.

60th Street North bridge: Work has continued through the winter on the 60th Street North bridge over I-229.

The girders, or beams, for the new bridge have been set, and crews are preparing to pour the new bridge deck as soon as the weather allows.

The new bridge is expected to be open to traffic in June, but the project will not be fully complete until August.

What’s next

85th & Cliff: Beginning today, the intersection of 85th Street and Cliff Avenue will be closed to allow crews to reconstruct and widen the intersection. Cliff traffic will be detoured to Minnesota Avenue between 271st Street, also known as County Highway 106, and 69th Street.

85th Street traffic will be detoured to 69th Street between Minnesota and Southeastern avenues. This work is expected to be complete before  the beginning of school in August.

Ninth Street: Beginning today, crews will be installing temporary traffic devices at the intersections of Ninth Street and Prairie Avenue and at Ninth Street and Duluth Avenue. The city is conducting a traffic calming pilot project along Ninth and will be replicating traffic circles at these intersections to conduct before and after studies to determine their effectiveness.  This work is expected to be complete in one day.

Cliff & Second: Beginning today, the outside northbound lane on Cliff Avenue will be closed at Second Street to allow crews to perform work. This work is expected to be complete by the end of the week.

Watch for these major road projects in 2023