Reconstruction is expected to start on a one-mile section of University Drive from Expressway to 12th Street beginning next week and runninguntil October.

Steve Salwei, with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, told the Metropolitan Planning Organization's policy committee on Tuesday that contracts had been sent to the project's low bidder, Northern Improvement, and upon its signing, work could begin as early as Monday.

The road will be widened to a five-lane asphalt section running from the Holiday Station Store to the Homerun C-Store on 12th Street. Estimated cost of the project is $2.7 million, which includes a small concrete section between the southside fire station and Holiday Station Store.

"This will be a total reconstruction," Salwei said. "They will remove the existing pavement and widen it to five lanes. They will set up traffic control, and traffic will be maintained throughout construction."

The NDDOT is hoping to have a prejob conference Monday and is currently working out an agreement for a public information consultant for the project.

"Traffic signals will be set up at Denver Avenue and at Wachter Avenue," Salwei said.

The bike path that runs south along University will be extended to follow the curve to 12th Street. It's expected that the project will be completed by the end of October.