School won't affect road construction

GORDON WEIXEL, Bismarck Tribune

Published Thursday August 25, 2005 

With Bismarck schools opening this week, University Drive, near Wachter Middle School, will see some peak traffic numbers during dropoff and pickup hours.

But it is unlikely to have much impact for the ongoing reconstruction project, which remains on schedule with completion slated by Oct. 21, according to Northern Improvement's Bruce Thompson.

"We'll be showing a little extra caution with the students headed back to school, and we hope the drivers using the road will be doing the same," Thompson said. "Flaggers will be out there."

Actually, Thompson said the traffic flow will be better than it was at the close of school last spring when reconstruction was on the west side. Drivers had to cross over the work area from University on Denver Avenue. Now, the work on the west side is complete, making the transition from University to Denver much less complicated.

The contractor also will try to make accommodations for those pedestrians attempting to cross from the mobile home court over to the school. "That shouldn't be a problem unless it rains," Thompson said. "If it does rain, it could get awful muddy."

The storm sewer system being put in by Cofell Plumbing and Heating is about complete, Thompson said, and Northern now is working on grading and graveling. Once that's complete, hopefully by the end of this week, Atlas Concrete will move in and finish curb and gutter work. Curb and gutter already has been poured on the north and south ends of the mile-long project.

Northern is working in an area between Denver and American Avenue, putting in Geotextile fabric to separate the gravel and dirt making up the subgrade from the upper layer. Concrete work has been completed at the intersection of Bismarck Expressway and University. The fabric also provides reinforcement of the road.

A temporary access for the Holiday service station on the west side of the business is in place, and the concrete driveway has been poured. Once that concrete is cured, the regular access will be opened up again.

Thompson expects it will be another three weeks before asphalt on the east side starts going down. Once Atlas finishes curb and gutter work, the concrete needs two to three weeks to cure.

"Once the concrete is ready, we'll do the fine grading of gravel, getting ready for the pavement,"Thompson says.

When complete, the reconstructed portion will feature five lanes, including a center turn lane and traffic actuated signal lights at the intersections of Denver and Wachter avenues.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at (701) 250-8255 or at gordon.weix-el@;bismarcktribune.com)