City engineers closer to making decision on new interchange, but opposition continues
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It’s a project twenty years in the making for a new interchange in South Fargo. City engineers say they are close to having a design chosen.
“We need to make a decision. Either we’re going to go forward with the project, or we’re not going to go forward with the project. And if we do go forward, which one of the alternatives do you like. And I think the first two alternatives, the one with the signal and roundabout, and the one with the two roundabouts, are falling to the top,” said Jeremy Gorden, Transportation Division Engineer.
The City of Fargo started the study back in 2008 to preserve right-of-way in the northeast quadrant along I-29 at 64th Avenue South. Gorden says that this interchange is needed now more than ever as the population in the area continues to grow.
“With orderly growth of the city, typically we’d like to have interchanges every mile. When we didn’t do them every mile, there’s a two-mile gap to 32nd to 52nd. So 40th Ave is just an underpass. That puts more stress on the adjacent interchanges because it’s not equally distributed throughout the avenues and streets,” said Gorden.
In late August, residents along 64th Avenue South were invited to a public forum on the proposed interchange. While there were some who are for the new change, there have been many who say the interchange should not go to 64th, but onto 76th.
“This isn’t a place for this high volume, 12,000 cars a day. Right now it’s 4,000, it’s going to go up to 12,000. 76th is where this needs to go,” said Rob Kost, Resident.
“We’ll do what we can in the future. This project doesn’t get built for another three years, so we’re hearing them, and we think we can accommodate their concerns in the future,” said Gorden.
Gorden says even without the interchange, the amount of traffic will continue to build.
City Commissioners will be meeting on the twentieth to approve the interchange. If approved, construction can begin in 2028.
