The Grand Forks council gave preliminary approval last night (Monday) to a study that could help determine the next location for an intercity bridge and a potential river crossing at Merrifield Road.
The council removed identified routes along 32nd Avenue South and Elks Drive from the scoping work with SRF Consultants. The decision followed a joint meeting last week with their counterparts in East Grand Forks.
Council member Bret Weber says removing specific sites will allow the data to help drive the location. “We eliminate any reference to 32nd and Elks and we change the language to river crossing or crossings. Let the technical process give us the best possible information moving forward.”
The estimated cost of the study is just over $151,000 dollars. As proposed the bill would be split between the two cities and counties.
The council vote was unanimous.
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Grand Forks is ready to enter into a study agreement with engineers to review drainage and water patterns as the city grows to the south in the name of flood protection.
City Engineer Al Grasser says the current flood protection project used data compiled in the 1990’s – and it’s time to update drainage and stormwater patterns. Grasser says the rain event that occurred last April raised some real concerns. “Changing conditions and climatic changes that are going on. I am very concerned if we had the gates closed at the time the water came through…I don’t know if the pumps would have been able to keep up.”
The cost of the study is pegged at over $568,000 dollars. Grasser says the results could necessitate the need for additional studies – and the cost associated with developing those reports.
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