Demers & 42nd Street Underpass study

It’s been on the books some form since 1998 but a renewed push is underway by Grand Forks to eliminate train-vehicle congestion at the DeMers and 42nd Street intersection.

There are currently five underpass options on the table.  Each plan has its own set of pluses and minuses ranging from golf course impacts to potential gas station relocation.  The price-tag is pegged at $40 to $60 million dollars.

Travis Wieber of K-L-J Engineering says they looked at the potential for an overpass – but it just doesn’t work.  “One of the differences is the vertical clearance between a train and a car.  There’s an additional five feet that we need to go over the tracks for train clearance.”

A public input meeting to discuss the various options is set for June 24th.  Potential construction is targeted to begin in 2023.