Grand Forks residents are advised to use a variety of alternate routes to avoid construction on two thoroughfares and reduce the possibility of an overload of traffic on South Washington Street, according to city spokesman Kevin Dean.
Dean said city staff members are promoting the use of Washington as well as South 20th Street, South 34th Street and South 42nd Street to ease traffic flow during the summer construction season.
"We hope (traffic) will kind of spread out to different streets, so it's not all slammed onto Washington," he said.
Starting Monday, Belmont Road was closed between 15th Avenue South and 24th Avenue South for a period of about three weeks. Those who live in the area will be able to access their homes from alleys, while detour signage will direct other traffic to an alternate route.
Traffic also was reduced to two lanes on the Columbia Road overpass Monday to accommodate repairs. The project should be completed in the first week of August if weather cooperates.
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The work will further slow traffic on Columbia Road, which also is reduced to two lanes around its intersection with 24th Avenue South.
Despite construction on two main north-south roadways, it appears city efforts to spread traffic to multiple alternative routes have been fairly successful. However, there has been some congestion.
"You definitely notice traffic increases on South Washington," said James Simundson, manager of the Pizza Hut on that street.
Simundson said he didn't see any big changes Monday but added traffic increased when work began at the corner of Columbia and 24th Avenue.
Patrick Streyle, owner/manager of Pita Pit, said his drivers have experienced some delays, but nothing significant. He said most people in Grand Forks seem to be doing a good job of spreading traffic to various alternative routes.
Gateway work
A small portion of Gateway Drive also was closed Monday and will reopen this evening. Westbound traffic was reduced to one lane between North Second Street and North Third Street so construction crews could work on curb and gutter replacement.
Dean said both eastbound lanes are open and the repairs should be completed by about 8 p.m.
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Reach Edison at (701) 780-1107, (800) 477-6572, ext. 107; or jedison@gfherald.com .
