EGF moves Bygland roundabout to top of list

In a close 4-3 vote the East Grand Forks council opted to target federal funds on a roundabout on Bygland Road.  The council has been wrestling with how to use some $860,000 dollars in federal transportation funding.  Two projects were on the drawing board – the other was the reconstruction of 10th Street Northeast.

Mayor Steve Gander advocated for continued study on both options saying money spent on planning won’t go to waste.  Gander says he’s also reluctant to go with the roundabout without knowing how much it will cost to acquire needed land.  “It’s like building a house on a lot I did not own….not a good bargaining position.”

Council member Dale Helms says there are other ways to improve traffic flow at Bygland and Rhinehart Drive – including a stop light.  “It’s just a bad spot to have a roundabout.”

The cost of the road construction ranges from $1.6 million to nearly $2.29 million dollars.