CONNECT GF/EGF ROADS ON SOUTH SIDE
WHEREAS, since 1991 there has been a public effort to build a roadway system south of GF/EGF; and
WHEREAS, studies justified both "Merrifield Projects" - a Red River Bridge and an I-29 Interchange; and
WHEREAS, further studies/agreement established a sequence - a new Thompson Bridge first, then a Merrifield Bridge and then a 32nd Ave Bridge - "Resolution of River Crossings Once And For All"; and
WHEREAS, the new Thompson Bridge was opened to traffic in October 2010; and
WHEREAS, in a 2012 visit with the GF Herald, Governor Dalrymple was amenable to building – “the long discussed south-end interchange(Merrifield Road) with Interstate 29”; and
HOWEVER, talk of a 47th Ave/I-29 Interchange and talk of other bridge locations has left a 'stalemate' condition in local decisions for GF/EGF roadway development; and
WHEREAS, a lack of funds is the major excuse for not moving forward with justified projects;
HOWEVER, the following news reports give encouragement to pursue possible action - “President Trump’s infrastructure initiative proposal has great promise for North Dakota". Also - " North Dakota Republican lawmakers unveiled a $280 million plan to fund infrastructure projects outside of the states Oil Patch" and
WHEREAS, there continues to be a 'stalemate' in local decisions for GF/EGF roadway development;
NOW, THEREFORE, we (as South Forks Connection Coalition advocates for the thoroughly studied recommended to be built "Merrifield Projects) are appealing to GF/EGF City Officials, Polk/GF County Officials, ND/MN DOT Officials to hold a meeting to come to consensus on a mutually beneficial roadway network for this vital Red River Valley Community, and
WHEREAS, [because GF/EGF is at the cross roads of two major US Highways (US 2 and I-29), included at this meeting should be qualified FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) representatives].
Updates
August 27, 2018
The stalemate persists but the traffic congestion is getting worse. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to push for a new plan.
21 Comments
Living in the Point Area of EGF, I see the need for a new S bridge between GF/EGF daily as I work in GF W of I-29. A new bridge would cut my commute to work in half and also give the cities another connection to even out traffic levels on all the bridges. It’s not a want, it’s badly needed!
We need another option to cross the river for agricultural purposes that doesn’t co-mingle large equipment and trucks with general residential traffic...it is a huge safety hazard the way it is presently.
To travel from the south end of EGF (middle school) to the south end of GF to shop takes a ridiculous amount of time! These cities have grown tremendously in the past 40 years, but the traffic routes between the two cities has not. Time to address more bridges to serve these communities is long overdue!
Needs immediate attention as it is a great need for the community. As a water manager several projects have been built to divert water around the city of Grand Forks. It is now the time to divert this large flow of traffic around the city on the south side by pass project...
any time we have a hiccup on any of the existing bridges, it taxes the other 2 to the point it creates 30 min+ delays multiple times per day -( 7:45 am, 11:30, and 4:30.) even with 3 bridges, travel is delayed and difficult. It's time and we have to be real about it's location - a mile from the other ones is not a viable option, 47th or CR 6 are options that fit south end traffic and commercial traffic. other options exclude this segment.
Build Merrifield bridge first and build it high. The route is uncontested and the interchange at I29 has already been cleared by the DOT interchange justification process.
Get it done.
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CONNECT GF/EGF ROADS ON SOUTH SIDE
WHEREAS, since 1991 there has been a public effort to build a roadway system south of GF/EGF; and
WHEREAS, studies justified both "Merrifield Projects" - a Red River Bridge and an I-29 Interchange; and
WHEREAS, further studies/agreement established a sequence - a new Thompson Bridge first, then a Merrifield Bridge and then a 32nd Ave Bridge - "Resolution of River Crossings Once And For All"; and
WHEREAS, the new Thompson Bridge was opened to traffic in October 2010; and
WHEREAS, in a 2012 visit with the GF Herald, Governor Dalrymple was amenable to building – “the long discussed south-end interchange(Merrifield Road) with Interstate 29”; and
HOWEVER, talk of a 47th Ave/I-29 Interchange and talk of other bridge locations has left a 'stalemate' condition in local decisions for GF/EGF roadway development; and
WHEREAS, a lack of funds is the major excuse for not moving forward with justified projects;
HOWEVER, the following news reports give encouragement to pursue possible action - “President Trump’s infrastructure initiative proposal has great promise for North Dakota". Also - " North Dakota Republican lawmakers unveiled a $280 million plan to fund infrastructure projects outside of the states Oil Patch" and
WHEREAS, there continues to be a 'stalemate' in local decisions for GF/EGF roadway development;
NOW, THEREFORE, we (as South Forks Connection Coalition advocates for the thoroughly studied recommended to be built "Merrifield Projects) are appealing to GF/EGF City Officials, Polk/GF County Officials, ND/MN DOT Officials to hold a meeting to come to consensus on a mutually beneficial roadway network for this vital Red River Valley Community, and
WHEREAS, [because GF/EGF is at the cross roads of two major US Highways (US 2 and I-29), included at this meeting should be qualified FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) representatives].
Updates
August 27, 2018
The stalemate persists but the traffic congestion is getting worse. I am currently reaching out to local representatives to push for a new plan.
21 Comments
The nearest ramp from the interstate to the business I deliver too, routes my big heavy truck thru the main commercial retail center of town, then thru a residential suburb then onto a secondary rural grid road. All for the lack of a simple diamond interchange ramps at that secondary county grid road. Bridge over interstate is already in place. Just add the ramps. Simple cheap, no challenging engineering or environmental impact studies needed.
Living in the Point Area of EGF, I see the need for a new S bridge between GF/EGF daily as I work in GF W of I-29. A new bridge would cut my commute to work in half and also give the cities another connection to even out traffic levels on all the bridges. It’s not a want, it’s badly needed!
We need another option to cross the river for agricultural purposes that doesn’t co-mingle large equipment and trucks with general residential traffic...it is a huge safety hazard the way it is presently.
To travel from the south end of EGF (middle school) to the south end of GF to shop takes a ridiculous amount of time! These cities have grown tremendously in the past 40 years, but the traffic routes between the two cities has not. Time to address more bridges to serve these communities is long overdue!
Needs immediate attention as it is a great need for the community. As a water manager several projects have been built to divert water around the city of Grand Forks. It is now the time to divert this large flow of traffic around the city on the south side by pass project...
any time we have a hiccup on any of the existing bridges, it taxes the other 2 to the point it creates 30 min+ delays multiple times per day -( 7:45 am, 11:30, and 4:30.) even with 3 bridges, travel is delayed and difficult. It's time and we have to be real about it's location - a mile from the other ones is not a viable option, 47th or CR 6 are options that fit south end traffic and commercial traffic. other options exclude this segment.
Build Merrifield bridge first and build it high. The route is uncontested and the interchange at I29 has already been cleared by the DOT interchange justification process.
Get it done.
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The nearest ramp from the interstate to the business I deliver too, routes my big heavy truck thru the main commercial retail center of town, then thru a residential suburb then onto a secondary rural grid road. All for the lack of a simple diamond interchange ramps at that secondary county grid road. Bridge over interstate is already in place. Just add the ramps. Simple cheap, no challenging engineering or environmental impact studies needed.