Central ND News

The North Dakota Department of Transportation is intensifying construction activities at the Interstate 94 Exit 161 interchange. This phase of the project will prioritize building a new bridge, demolishing the existing structure, and enhancing the roadway infrastructure, including Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway. The project is slated to progress in stages, with significant developments targeted for completion by November 2025.

Commencing the first week of April, and subject to weather conditions, the northbound lane of Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway will be closed from Divide Avenue to Trenton Drive. Crews will initiate temporary widenings at Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive. Following this, in mid-April, southbound lane closures will be instituted to facilitate the replacement of the existing concrete medians with asphalt. These modifications are imperative to maintain traffic flow throughout the construction period. Regular lane closures are anticipated in both directions on Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway throughout the 2025 construction season.

The advancement of new I-94 loops and road realignments will continue after temporary surfaces are established. This includes carrying on with the new alignments for Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway and I-94 entrance and exit loops/ramps, and continuing with bridge construction. Upgrades at the intersections of Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive will include new storm drains, street lighting, and traffic signals. Lane closures and detours are expected on both I-94 and Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway as these upgrades are executed.

In mid-April, the positioning of girders for the new bridge will begin. This exercise will lead to interior lane shutdowns on I-94 in both directions temporarily. To ensure safety, a protective canopy will be placed on the girders. Varied lane closures will be managed on I-94 throughout the 2025 construction timeframe.

The demolition of the current bridge is slated to start by late 2025, demanding further alterations to traffic patterns. The concluding phases of construction, which include cleanup and landscaping, are scheduled to be finalized by September 2026.

The reconstruction project of the I-94 Exit 161 interchange commenced in spring 2024 and will persist until summer 2026. "The redesign aims to improve traffic flow by eliminating two left-turn movements and adding more efficient right-turn loops," according to the Department of Transportation. The NDDOT acknowledges the community's patience as this critical infrastructure undertaking advances.