13th Avenue Reconstruction: Finding Alternate Routes

As the 13th Avenue South Project begins, the city is recommending you take alternate routes.

One of the routes Fargo Police say drivers can use to avoid 13th Avenue congestion is 43rd Street South.

Stop signs will also be put up along cross sections like these to help control traffic flow.

As the construction widening 13th Avenue South into six lanes begins, drivers will need two things: patience and alternative routes.

We rode along with Fargo Police Patrol Officer Matthew Moon finding out just what detours will be the best to take.
 
“Fifteenth Avenue and 17th Avenue South are going to be the preferred southern detour routes. Nineth Avenue South and Main will be your northern routes,” said Officer Moon.
 
Moon says it’s important for drivers to be extra cautious.
 
“Our biggest thing is pay attention to the road detour signs, don’t go past the barriers, and slow down for the construction zone,” he said.
 
We caught up with one driver who says he plans on avoiding the headache altogether.
 
“I think try to avoid the traffic, I think the one lane could be used by people who really need it, and if there are other alternatives for me to go to work. I’ll do that,” said Abednego Thomas of Fargo.
 
If you’re one of those who can’t avoid 13th Avenue South, there is some good news.
 
The city says during the seven months of construction at least one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open.
 
“As soon as that snow starts melting its construction season,”said Fargo native Jennifer Dahl.
 
For Fargo natives like Jennifer Dahl, finding alternative routes to get around during the warmer months has become routine.
 
“It ends up being faster than trying to go through construction, especially at rush hour you’ll hit five and you’ll be sitting in traffic forever,” said Dahl.

Tomorrow will only mark the start of phase one of the five phase project.

The entire project is scheduled to wrap up by November 1st.