University Drive and Main Avenue intersection lane reductions begin Thursday morning

Beginning Thursday, April 16, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the City of Fargo contractors will move into the next phase of project work for the Main Avenue Makeover improvement project in downtown Fargo.

After 7 a.m. on Thursday, the second traffic shift will begin at the intersection of University Drive and Main Avenue. Lane reductions will be in place between NP Avenue and 1st Avenue South on University Drive. The lane reductions will allow crews to begin work on the permanent northbound counter flow lane between Main Avenue and NP Avenue.

When traffic control is in place, drivers can expect:

• Single southbound through lane on University Drive
• Single westbound right-turn lane on University Drive
• Head-to-head traffic for one block on Main Avenue in the eastbound lanes west of University Drive
• Main Avenue between east of University Drive to west of 10th Street South Underpass bridge fully closed to traffic
• Speeds reduced to 25 mph where traffic control is present

Local access is maintained to all the north side businesses located in the 1000 block of Main Avenue by use of 1st Avenue South to adjacent side streets. Motorists can then cross North or South over Main Avenue via:

• 10th Street South (overpass frontage road, near the old McDonald’s)
• 11th Street South or 12th Street South

Crews are planning to work west to east toward Broadway. The contractor can work on the project phases concurrently with restrictions on days for intersection work. Over the next weeks, motorists should expect additional reduced lanes or full roadway closures of Main Avenue as they move into the next phases of project work. The traffic impacts for the phase work will include:

• Main Avenue between 8th Street and Broadway (third traffic impact): The intersection of 8th Street and Main Avenue will fully close to motorist for up to two months. Business access and pedestrian traffic will be maintained.
• Main Avenue between 10th Street and 8th Street (fourth traffic impact): The remaining roadway of Main Avenue will be reconstructed west of 8th Street South intersection.
• 10th Street South Underpass Bridge (last traffic impact): The steel bridge deck under Main Avenue for the 10th Street South underpass will be replaced. There will be short-term lane closures on 10th Street South.

Drivers should plan to use the posted detour route to cross the Red River into Moorhead until project work is complete in mid-October. The posted detour route north of Main Avenue is 1st Avenue North and south of Main Avenue is 1st Avenue South between University Drive to 2nd Street South.

Pedestrian access to all businesses along Main Avenue is provided. The NDDOT and the City of Fargo urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones stating, “road closed.”