Next Phase For a Proposed 47th Avenue Interchange on Interstate 29 in Grand Forks is an Engineering Design Project

(KNOX) -The next phase for a proposed 47th Avenue Interchange on Interstate 29 in Grand Forks is an engineering design project.

Sarah Sesselman of the Grand Forks Engineering Department said some important paper work on the project has been completed.

“At this stage of project development the DOT seeks to validate its understanding that the city’s desire is to continue project development activities to the extent that right-of-way accusation for the interchange footprint can be carried out,” Sesselman recently told the Grand Forks Committee of the Whole.

“So far work completed includes the environmental document and the interchange justification report,” Sesselman told the committee.

Grand Forks City Council has prioritized a new interchange at 47th Ave S for several years.

Interstate 29 through Grand Forks was originally constructed in the late 1960’s. Since that time, no new interchanges have been constructed in Grand Forks.

Without a new interchange, it’s anticipated that traffic congestion on the off ramps will result in traffic backing up onto I-29, which is a safety concern.

Previous studies have indicated that a new interchange located near 47th Ave S could reduce traffic volumes on 32nd Ave S by up to 40 percent.

The Grand Forks Committee of the Whole approved the continuation of project development activities relating to the preliminary engineering and right-of-way acquisition. The measure goes before the full Grand Forks City Council Monday night.