Road work could be trouble for Dot the duck, family

GORDON WEIXEL, Bismarck Tribune

Published Friday, May 13, 2005

Thursday's rain and snow put a halt to work on University Drive reconstruction between Expressway and 12th Street, which probably was a relief to Dot the duck, who's taken up residence near the construction at the entrance of Prairie Engineering.

Jackie Dockter, who works at Prairie Engineering, says she's counted seven eggs in the nest and expects they will start hatching in the next 10 to 14 days. She adds the duck was named after the Department of Transportation.

"The duck has built its nest right by our front door," Dockter said. "We're worried that when the ducks hatch they'll have problems getting past the Jersey barriers."

Dockter asked NDDOT Project Engineer Ted Heinert whether there was any way to separate the barriers so the duck and her ducklings could slip through if they decide to go that way. Heinert said it was unlikely they could provide the space since each barrier weighs about 5,500 pounds and they're bolted together.

Project public information consultant Mike Mabin said calls have been made to the Dakota Zoo and North Dakota Game and Fish about the duck. "They more or less told us 'don't disturb the duck and she'll take care of it,'" he said.

Construction on the mile-long project, which is expanding the present three lanes to five lanes, including a center turn lane, started about two weeks ago. The precipitation will likely suspend work for a couple of days, but Northern Improvement's Bruce Thompson figures construction will be under way by Monday. Crews have widened the east side of the road and put up barriers to separate traffic from work now proceeding on the west side. Pavement on the west side has been removed, and Cofell Plumbing & Heating is proceeding with work on the storm sewer system.

Thompson warns that drivers need to be careful when driving through the stretch, noting the driving lanes are narrow. Traffic is heaviest in the morning, when students are dropped off at Wachter Middle School, and in the afternoon, when they are picked up. The speed limit is 25 mph, and there are flaggers that motorists need to be aware of.

The projects is scheduled for completion on Oct. 21, and Thompson expects the traffic lanes will be switched sometime in July. Total project cost is $2.8 million, with reconstruction featuring curb and gutter and traffic signals at intersections with Wachter and Denver avenues.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)