Plan accordingly for road construction by Moorhead High School
August 14, 2018
Moorhead High School fall sports began practice this week, grade 9 orientation sessions are Aug. 20, and school starts Sept. 4. With students beginning to return for the 2018-19 school year, the school district is regularly communicating with the City of Moorhead to navigate the challenges of at least 18 months of road construction by Moorhead High School. City staff provided the Moorhead School Board with an update Aug. 13.
Preliminary work on the Main Avenue/20th Street/21st Street underpass construction project began in 2002 with the plans mostly done by 2009, said Tom Trowbridge, assistant city engineer. Trowbridge and Jon Atkins, city traffic engineer, shared the project goals and history, construction schedule, and detour information with the board members.
Trowbridge explained that one of the goals for the project was to improve safety near Moorhead High School.
Trowbridge and Superintendent Brandon Lunak both said maintaining access to Moorhead High School is important. When 4th Avenue South is closed, 2nd Avenue will remain open to provide access on the west side of Moorhead High.
Due to road construction, there currently is no outlet to the south parking lot so Moorhead High School administrators are asking parents to drop off students at Door 13 on the north side of the school once school starts.
Until temporary tracks are installed, which is tentatively planned for December or January, the majority of the work involves relocating a water main and storm sewer work. Some construction will begin on the walls, but the bridge construction and most of the wall construction will occur after the railroad tracks are moved, Trowbridge said.
Temporary lights, including one at 4th Avenue South and 34th Street, will help with school bus traffic near Moorhead High School.
“Where there are signals now there will be signals in the future,” Trowbridge said. “Several temporary signals will make it easier for people to use the route we want them to use.”
He said an additional stoplight will be added by Moorhead High as part of the project.
To help alleviate traffic issues, Moorhead High administrators are asking students to carpool or ride the bus if possible. Once school starts, families are reminded to leave early for school to allow extra time for potential delays.
The district’s transportation director has been part of the weekly construction meetings so questions or concerns can be addressed, Trowbridge said.
“Whatever issues may crop up, we will certainly be in contact with each other,” he said.
Once the second and longest phase of the construction begins, 12th Avenue South west to 8th Street and 12th Avenue South east to 34th Street will be the major detours, Atkins said.
In phase three, the new underpass will be able to be used in a limited capacity, Atkins said. The final phase closes the 1st Avenue South intersection for the construction of a railroad wye, which will eliminate the need for trains to stop and back up.
Planned traffic calming measures include speed feedback signs, pavement marking, extra enforcement, and a temporary roundabout at Oak Way and Birch Lane. Atkins said the roundabout was designed around the size of a city bus so school buses should be able to navigate it also.
The city will be providing updating on its website, or people can sign up for email alerts at http://www.cityofmoorhead.com/about-the-city/news/sign-up-for-e-notification. Select “20/21 St Underpass Construction” to receive updates about the project.
Categorized under: School