I-29 Sheyenne River bridge deck overlay near Harwood begins today

Starting today, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) contractors will begin the first phase of project work for the I-29 Sheyenne River bridge deck overlays near Harwood. Crews will close the driving lane on I-29 over each of the bridge decks. The passing lane will remain open for thru traffic. The lane reductions will allow crews enough room to begin the deck overlays and concrete pavement repair (CPR) work for travel in each direction.

By midday today, Monday, May 11, motorists can expect the following traffic impacts on I-29 near Harwood:

• OPEN: Single lane in each direction carried in the passing lanes
• CLOSED: Driving lane closure in each direction
• Speeds will be reduced to 55 mph where traffic control is present

Motorists will stay in this traffic pattern for about a week. As project work progresses, crews will then move into the next phase and shift the lane closure in each direction to the passing lanes.

The bridge deck overlay is a preventative maintenance to expand the life of the bridge and improve ride quality. If left untreated, the bridge deck is susceptible to spalling, which is when the top layer of the deck concrete becomes loose. The bridge rehabilitation work is expected to be complete by October.

Project work will be split into two phases to maintain access for thru traffic. The traffic impacts for the phase work will include:

• Phase One: Traffic will remain on their respective sides with a single driving lane closure in each direction
• Phase Two: Traffic will remain on their respective sides with a single passing lane closure in each direction

The NDDOT urges motorists to always be attentive, drive with caution and never enter a road blocked with barriers or cones stating, “road closed.”