Mike Gerhart, Jr. Deputy Director for Administration | North Dakota Department of Transportation
Mike Gerhart, Jr. Deputy Director for Administration | North Dakota Department of Transportation
The North Dakota Department of Transportation is intensifying its efforts on the construction at the Interstate 94 Exit 161 interchange in Bismarck. This season's work primarily focuses on building a new bridge, tearing down the existing one, constructing new ramps, and upgrading adjacent roadways, notably Centennial Road and Bismarck Expressway. The construction is divided into phases, with significant progress anticipated by November 2025.
As part of the process, lane closures will occur on Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway, beginning the first week of April, weather permitting. Initially, the northbound outside lane will close between Divide Avenue and Trenton Drive to facilitate the development of temporary widenings at Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive. By mid-April, the southbound lanes will also close for crews to replace the existing concrete medians with asphalt. These measures aim to ensure smooth traffic flow amid construction, resulting in lane closures throughout the 2025 season.
Temporary surfaces will allow for the continuation of constructing new alignments on Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway and the I-94 entrance and exit loops, as well as building the new bridge. Intersection upgrades at Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive will include installing new storm drains, street lighting, and traffic signals. Lane closures and detours on both I-94 and Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway are anticipated as these improvements are carried out.
Starting in mid-April, new bridge girder installation will necessitate inside lane closures on I-94. This work will include a protective canopy over the girders for safety. Lane closures on I-94 are expected to vary throughout the 2025 construction season.
Demolition of the current bridge is set for late 2025, requiring further traffic adjustments. Final construction activities, including cleanup and landscaping, are scheduled for completion by September 2026.
The I-94 Interchange Exit 161 Reconstruction project, which commenced in spring 2024, is on track to continue through summer 2026. The project's redesign seeks to enhance traffic efficiency by eliminating two left-turn movements and introducing more efficient right-turn loops. The NDDOT expresses gratitude to the public for their patience during this significant infrastructure improvement.
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