Dignitaries officially open new NE Bypass around Minot Posted on 10/18/2012
Federal, state and local officials dedicated the new Northeast Bypass road around Minot today, cutting the ribbon on site despite windy conditions. North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, U.S. Senator John Hoeven and North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Francis Ziegler joined Ward County Commission Chairman John Fjeldahl, Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman and project representatives in officially opening the new road that provides a key bypass around the northeast side of the growing community of Minot.
"This project is a great example of federal, state, local and industry collaboration, with multiple partners working together to enhance the region's infrastructure and quality of life," said Gov. Dalrymple. "The new bypass will not only reduce the number of trucks traveling through Minot, but will help drive the city and county's continued growth and development."
Construction on the NE Bypass started at the end of August 2011 and opened to motorists at the end of September 2012. The 7-mile bypass road was made as a result of upgrades to County Road 10A (46th Avenue N.E.), and 55th Street N.E and mirrors the northwest U.S. Highway 83 bypass. More than 31,000 tons of asphalt pavement was used to form the bypass.
"This $26.4 million Minot bypass/bridge project would not be happening without the $20 million in federal funding we secured to make it happen," said Sen. Hoeven. "It's exciting to see this portion, the bypass, open and we look forward to completion of the bridge project to not only facilitate traffic, but also help the port of Minot with intermodal shipping."
The new bypass was built at a cost of $9.9 million, including construction, project engineering, right of way acquisitions and utility relocations. The bypass represents half of the overall 55th Street NE Bypass/Bridge project. Funding for the project is a collection of Federal Highway, state, Ward County and Minot funds as the road represents a true collaboration to alleviate traffic going through Minot and improve traffic flow in east Minot and Ward County.
"This project fulfills a long-term dream of the Minot community, Ward County and many residents throughout the state," said Ziegler. "The project is good for the state and local economy, but it is also an important project as it helps to safely move people and goods."
Gladen Construction from Laporte, Minn. was the prime contractor responsible for this portion of the 55th Street NE Bypass/Bridge project. Ackerman-Estvold Engineering and Management Consulting, of Minot, is the project engineer responsible for the road and bridge project. Work continues on the bridge portion of the complete 55th Street project, as crews poured a third deck of concrete during the first week of October. This portion of the project is scheduled to be complete in 2013.
