The decision to submit a second preferred design for a 42nd Street underpass in Grand Forks to the North Dakota DOT has its own set of pluses and minuses.
The city council previously endorsed the B-1 concept that includes a jug handle to connect to DeMers Avenue. Although the design would impact the golf course it wouldn’t necessarily include acquisition of a nearby gas station.
The council this week agreed to add the so-called C-1 proposal into the mix. It keeps the alignment of 42nd and DeMers intact but requires the entire intersection to be depressed so it can run under the existing train tracks.
The downfalls include flood mitigation during heavy rains and snow drifting during the winter. Scott Middaugh of KLJ consultants says it could also keep the busy intersection offline for some time. “Anytime we keep the road on the existing alignment basically requires a shut down of the intersection. With this alternative this intersection most likely will be shut down for at least two years.”
The North Dakota Department of Transportation will continue to analyze the two designs with the goal of starting actual construction by 2027.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
