News Releases for September 2007
September 12, 2007
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Hoeven, City Officials Announce Completion Of Eight-Year, $150 Million Reconstruction Project On I-29
FARGO, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today was joined by North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and City of Fargo officials to announce the completion of the I-29 Reconstruction Project through the Fargo corridor. Traffic will be switched onto the new pavement north of 19th Ave. N this week, then crews will wrap up the project next week.
“A dynamic and growing economy requires a strong and reliable transportation system,” Hoeven said. “I want to thank everyone who worked so hard on this over the years for their combined efforts. Fargo, the region, and all of North Dakota will benefit by the enhanced ability to move people and goods in our state.”
Joining Hoeven for the announcement were Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker; NDDOT Director Francis Ziegler; representatives for the state’s congressional delegation; David Martin of the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber of Commerce; Tom McCormick of the Northern Improvement Company; and NDDOT Fargo District Engineer Kevin Gorder.
Started in 2000, this project has included the reconstruction of six interchanges, seven new loop ramps, 15 new bridges and the expansion of two bridges. Crews paved nearly 881,000 square yards of concrete, completed 16.76 miles of piling, and moved 1.7 million cubic yards of dirt. Eight miles of the I-29 roadway was expanded through Fargo. The project also included improved or added pedestrian/bike paths at 32nd Ave. S, 13th Ave S, Main Avenue, 12th Ave. N and 19th Ave. N. The reconstructed I-29 provides motorists with longer merging lanes, improved signage and added lighting.
The prime contractors were Northern Improvement Company, Border States Paving, Wanzek Construction, Industrial Builders, Master Construction and Strata Corporation. Multiple trucking firms and more than 50 contractors worked on this project, the majority of which were based in the Fargo area. The total budget was $149.4 million, with $130.7 million allocated by the NDDOT and $18.7 by the City of Fargo.
Overview Of I-29 Reconstruction Work Performed From 2000 To 2007
2000
- Prime Contractors: Northern Improvement (32nd Ave) & Border States Paving (I-29)
- $18.9 million
- Reconstructed 32nd Ave Interchange
- Widened 32nd Ave bridge, added bike path and right turn lane for new loop ramp
- Partnered with City of Fargo to reconstruct 42nd St from 17th Ave to 32nd Ave, including overpass over I-94
- Constructed ramp connections, median crossovers, overlaid southbound roadway and added auxiliary lane between I-94 and 13th Ave to prepare for head-to-head traffic in 2001
2001
- Prime Contractor: Northern Improvement
- $18.5 million
- Reconstructed northbound I-29 between 40th Ave S and Main Ave
- Completed 40 days ahead of schedule
- Added loop ramp in the southeast quadrant of 13th Ave
- Included four bridges, at 17th Ave, Texas Turn, 13th Ave and 9th Ave
2002
- Prime Contractors: Northern Improvement (32nd Ave) & Industrial Builders (RR Bridge)
- $38.2 million
- Reconstructed southbound I-29 between 40th Ave S and Main Ave
- Finished more than a month ahead of schedule
- Reconstructed 13th Ave from four lanes to eight lanes between 36th St and 38th St
- Constructed 9th Ave and 17th Ave underpasses
- Reconstructed portions of 38th Ave between 17th Ave and Texas Turn, and from 13th Ave to 9th Ave
- Closed the main West Acres mall entrance at 38th St between April and mid-June
- Included four bridges, at 17th Ave, Texas Turn, 13th Ave and 9th Ave
- Partnered with City of Fargo to rebuild 13th Ave between I-29 and 21st St
- Built Shoo-fly, rerouted trains, started new construction on the railroad bridge just north of Main Ave
2003
- Prime Contractor: Wanzek Construction
- $7.7 million
- Rebuilt the I-94 bridges over I-29 after wind tower damage in order to accommodate future six lane section across I-29, and better loop ramp lanes on I-29
- Finished railroad structure north of Main Ave
- Rehabilitated I-94 from 42nd St to the Red River
2004
- Prime Contractors: Strata (Interchange and west mile) & Master Construction (east mile)
- $32.6 million
- Reconstructed Main Ave interchange with I-29
- Added new loop ramp in southeast quadrant of Main Ave and I-29
- Expanded Main Ave from five lanes to eight at the I-29 interchange
- Reconstructed Main Ave from I-29 through 45th St
- Reconstructed Main Ave from I-29 through 25th St
- Expanded Main Ave from five lanes to seven lanes
- Eliminated most frontage roads along Main Ave
2005
- Prime Contractor: Border States Paving
- $1.5 million
- Constructed ramp connections, median crossovers and overlaid southbound roadway to prepare for head-to-head traffic in 2006
- Repainted the 7th Ave separation
2006
- Prime Contractor: Northern Improvement
- $19.1 million
- Reconstructed northbound I-29 between Main Ave and Cass County 20
- Completely closed the 19th Ave N interchange to reconstruct the overpass structure, add multi-use path across I-29 and add loop ramps in the northwest and southeast quadrants
- Added loop ramp in the southeast quadrant of 12th Ave N and I-29
2007
- Prime Contractor: Northern Improvement
- $12.9 million
- Reconstructed southbound I-29 between Main Ave and Cass County 20
- Widened 12th Ave N to accommodate right turn lanes and a multi-use path across I-29
- Added loop ramp in northwest quadrant of 12th Ave and I-29
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