Road Report: Sept. 29, 2025

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

North Drive: Crews are making steady progress on the North Drive bridge preservation project.

The bridge over the diversion channel remains closed to traffic. This week, crews will complete the low-slump dense concrete overlay and begin replacing the storm sewer, bridge end backfill and concrete approach slabs.

The closure is expected to remain in place through late October.

Motorists are advised to use Minnesota Avenue, Benson Road and Fourth Avenue as detour routes. The bike route is being detoured via First Avenue, Riverside Avenue and the existing recreation trail.

The nearby bridge over the BNSF Railway will receive a two-coat polymer chip seal.

Traffic will be maintained over this bridge for the duration of the preservation work.

Deck grinding and shot blasting have been completed in preparation for the seal, which will be applied later this week.

Additional maintenance work at this location includes tree removal and repainting of the bridge rail.

All work is expected to be completed by the end of November.

Rice Street: Work continues on Rice Street, which began Sept. 22.

The project started with milling and surface preparation.

Once milling is complete, the contractor will adjust water valves and begin paving the roadway.

After paving, pavement markings will be applied to the completed stretch. Rice Street is closed between Cleveland Avenue and Veterans Parkway. One lane of traffic is being maintained to allow access to businesses and residences.

This work is expected to be completed in approximately three weeks.

72nd Street North: Work began on Sept. 25 on 72nd Street North between Seubert and 476th avenues to allow crews to install water main, sanitary sewer and storm drainage improvements. Traffic is being detoured to 258th Street and Interstate 90 via 476th Avenue and Highway 115/Cliff Avenue. Access for property owners will be maintained throughout construction. This work is expected to be completed in late November.

Seventh Avenue: On Sept. 26, work began on the accessible curb ramps on the west side of Seventh Avenue at 21st Street to allow contractors to perform repairs to the detectable warning panels. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the east side of Seventh while the work is occurring. This work is expected to be completed within a few days.

What’s next

The following work will begin today:

Marion Road: Marion Road will be closed between Maple Street and 60th Street North to allow crews to mill and overlay the roadway. Through traffic between Maple and 60th will be detoured to Career Avenue. Marion will be open to traffic when work is not being performed. The overlay work is expected to be completed in about three weeks.

18th Street: The eastbound lanes of 18th Street will be closed between Highline Avenue and Veterans Parkway to allow crews to install water main pipe and repair the roadway. The westbound lanes of 18th will remain open to traffic. Traffic on Veterans will not be impacted. This work is expected to be completed in about three weeks.

26th Street: The shoulder and sidewalk along the south side of 26th Street will be closed between Marion Road and Edna Avenue to allow the contractor to do utility work. Pedestrian traffic will be detoured to the north sidewalk. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of the day on Oct. 13.

37th Street: The sidewalk on the south side of 37th Street between Lake and Grange avenues will be closed to allow contractors to perform repairs. Pedestrians should use the sidewalk on the north side of 37th while the work is occurring. This work should to be completed by the end of the week.