Closures coming to Sheyenne Street in West Fargo starting Monday

Next week, contractors for the third segment of the City of West Fargo Sheyenne Street project will start the last section of roadway reconstruction planned for the major arterial corridor.

Starting Monday, April 8, after 9 a.m., Sheyenne Street will fully close to drivers from south of 32nd Avenue W. to north of 40th Avenue W., as well as one city block south of 40th Avenue W. intersection. Local residents east of Sheyenne Street will be able to access Windsor Green, West River and Borderud’s developments. At the start of work, the Sheyenne Street and 40th Avenue W. intersection will remain open to one driving lane of east–west traffic on the south half of the intersection. The City of West Fargo is reevaluating the additional costs and time to keep the intersection open to traffic throughout the duration of the project work.

“When we scoped out the project, we planned to close down the road and entire intersection to complete the project quickly and cost-effectively,” said Chris Brungardt, City of West Fargo Public Works Director. “However, we are evaluating if it is possible to leave it open to help provide more route options for residents in the area.”

Once Sheyenne Street is closed in segment three, traffic detours or best routes based on your destination will include:

- 40th Avenue W. west to Ninth St W., north to 32nd Avenue W. and east to Sheyenne St.

- 52nd Avenue W. west to Ninth Street W., north to 40th Avenue W or 32nd Avenue W. to east to Sheyenne Street

- 40th Avenue W. east to Veterans Boulevard, north to 32nd Avenue W. and west to Sheyenne St

- Southbound Sheyenne Street, east 52nd Avenue W. to north Veterans Boulevard.

City and project staff have been working with the school district to offer driving suggestions for parents using Ninth Street West to access neighborhood schools during peak travel times. This includes using alternative modes of transportation, such as walking, biking or carpooling, to ease traffic congestion during drop-off and pickup times. Temporary traffic signals will be added on Ninth Street W. at the 32nd Avenue W. and 40th Avenue W. intersections to help facilitate the increased traffic.

Motorists in this area should plan for delays and congestion during the morning and evening commutes and adjust their travel plans accordingly. Traffic signals in the area will also be monitored and adjusted during the first two weeks of the closure as traffic patterns adjust to the closure. Drivers in the area are encouraged to consider avoiding traveling during peak hours, and plan for alternate routes. There are also several adjacent projects in this southwest metro area that will impact possible alternative routes:

- City of West Fargo’s Sheyenne Street Segment 1 (13th Avenue W. to Beaton Drive)

- Intermittent traffic impacts for signal installation and final landscaping · City of West Fargo’s Sheyenne Street Segment 2 (Beaton Drive to 32nd Avenue W.)

- Current work zone: Bridge work at diversion channel, one lane in each direction open to traffic and dedicated turn lanes where available

- Week of April 15: 32nd Avenue W. traffic will shift to the northside with one lane in each direction to begin the remaining underground and installation of permanent traffic signals ·

- City of West Fargo’s Sheyenne Street Segment 3 (32nd Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W.) · NDDOT’s Sheyenne Street Interchange Two-Year Project (I-94 Eastbound Bridge and Sheyenne Street)

- Week of April 22: Interstate 94 is slated to shift to head-to-head traffic over Sheyenne Street on the westbound bridge. Ramp access to all direction of travel will remain open.

- City of Fargo’s 52nd Avenue S. construction (45th Street S. to 63rd Street S.)

- Current work zone: 52nd Avenue closed west of 45th Street S. to east of Veterans Boulevard.

The two-year Sheyenne Street corridor reconstruction segments are designed to help ease congestion with additional driving lanes and safety concerns in West Fargo. Segment three runs from south of 32nd Avenue W. to past 40th Avenue W. and will result in a new 4-lane concrete roadway with curb and gutter, sidewalks, multiuse path, storm sewer, sanitary sewer force main relocation, sewer and water extensions, traffic signals, street lighting and other miscellaneous installations. The City of West Fargo is overseeing the project work between 13th Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W. The North Dakota Department of Transportation Fargo District is overseeing the interchange.