About The Project
The safety improvement project includes a mill and overlay that will add three reduced conflict intersections (RCIs) and seven turning lanes along Highway 2 from the Montana state line to Williston.
PROJECT PURPOSE & NEED:
The projects aim to reduce fatalities and incapacitating crashes along US 2 by adding turn lanes and improving intersections.
59% percent of crashes in the corridor within the past 5 years have been rear end or angle crashes. Occurring within the same 5-year span there have been four fatal crashes and 14 crashes that resulted in an incapacitating injury. In addition, the intersections of US 2 and ND 1804/143rd Ave NW along with US 2 and 142nd Ave NW are ranked #8 and #9 respectively on the rural intersection high crash list.
WHY A REDUCED CONFLICT INTERSECTION (RCI)?
The goal of an RCI is to save lives by reducing or eliminating conflict points where right-angle crashes can occur. Right angle crashes are the most severe type.
Corridor Crash History: In a study of the corridor from 2014 to 2019, 109 crashes occurred. 18 were fatal or incapacitating.
- US 2 and ND 1804 is ranked #8 out of 25 on the 2014-
2018 rural intersection high crash location list and reported
21 total crashes, 2 of which resulted in incapacitating
injury. - US 2 and 142nd Ave is ranked #9 out of 25 on the
2014-2018 rural intersection high crash list with 7 total
crashes, 4 angle crashes and 3 of which resulted in
incapacitating injury. - US 2 and 141st Ave reported 9 angle crashes involving
southbound and westbound vehicles.
Project Goals
- Estimated Project Cost:
$12.2 Million
- Estimated Completion:
End of 2024 Construction Season
- Other Goals:
- Reduce Fatal & Incapacitating Crashes
- Increase Sight Distance
- Improve Operations
Public Input Meeting:
March 8, 2022 | Williston Area Recreation Center
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why does the work need to be done?
59% percent of crashes in the corridor within the past 5 years have been rear end or right-angle crashes. Occurring within the same 5-year span there have been four fatal crashes and 14 crashes that resulted in an incapacitating injury. In addition, the intersections of US 2 and ND 1804/143rd Ave NW along with US 2 and 142nd Ave NW are ranked #8 and #9 respectively on the rural intersection high crash list.
What studies were done as part of the decision-making process?
A Safety Corridor Study and Traffic Operations Study were completed to look at safety improvements and traffic counts.
Why don't you just add overpasses?
Overpasses cost an estimated $50 million each which would total $150 million in addition to the cost for the turning lanes, etc. The current cost to install the RCIs is around $7.9 million. The total NDDOT construction budget for the entire state is $175 million.
Can RCIs accommodate all vehicle types, including the largest oil trucks?
Yes, an RCI is designed to allow most vehicles, including large trucks.
How will my driving be impacted?
Only left turns onto US 2 and through movements from the side street will be affected, approximately 3% of traffic. For the rest of traffic, the motions are unchanged.
Will there be more noise from semi-trucks engine braking?
No. Instead of coming to a complete stop, semis may be able to yield instead of stopping within an RCI. Eliminating the stoplight at ND 1804 may also reduce the amount of trucks that need to stop.
How can you plow snow in an RCI?
Trust us, no one has thought of this more than we have. We have learned and navigated snow removal in all types of situations, including in intersections and roundabouts. This will be no different.
Why don't you just add stoplights?
The primary reason for not using a stoplight in this location is because they do not reduce conflict points. A traditional intersection has 32 conflict points and an RCI has 14 which drastically reduces the chances for fatal and serious-injury crashes. For more information, visit our RCI page.