BISMARCK, N.D. – Technical stakeholders from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization, Grand Forks County, the city of Grand Forks, Grand Forks International Airport and Grand Sky, among others, met yesterday regarding the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and County Road 5 (airport road) to discuss plans for safety improvements.
“We’re grateful to our partners for joining with us to continue to examine the intersection,” said Grand Forks District Engineer Ed Pavlish. “This group has met over the past several years and is united over a common goal of making our roadways as safe as possible.”
Attendees recapped safety improvements made to the intersection over the last decade including multiple traffic studies and the addition of advanced warning signal signs, improvements in signal visibility, dynamic speed display signs, reduced speed limit postings and lighting for enhanced visibility.
“I’ve seen the evolution of that intersection change over the last three decades and it’s been a lot. I am supportive of all efforts that make sense to improve safety at the intersection,” said Grand Forks County Sheriff Andrew Schneider. “Speeding and lack of patience are major issues. The crashes there are preventable. People need to pay attention, slow down, buckle up and not drive while impaired.”
Additional short-term measures were also discussed and will be implemented this summer by the NDDOT, including adding painted speed limits into the pavement and increasing the size of speed limit signs. In addition, the North Dakota Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement in the area and Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office has already done so.
The NDDOT will also be moving forward with a request for proposal to hire a consultant to complete the environmental document and design in anticipation of a long-term plan. As part of this process, the NDDOT will be hosting a public meeting along with its partners in Grand Forks to showcase possible long-term options and invite residents to provide input on choices.
For more information on statewide projects visit dot.nd.gov. Future public input meetings will be shared by the media and via social media. For more information on how you can be safe while traveling this summer, visit visionzero.nd.gov.