Future Bridge Traffic Impact Study
Download the Final Report Here:
About the Project
Prior studies and plans have identified the need for a new local river crossing between the two cities to reduce congestion at the existing crossings and the surrounding roadway network. These include the 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Plan and the 2020 Hydraulic Analysis of South End Red River Bridge study. The conclusions of these studies support further analysis of a new river crossing in the corridors: Elks Drive and 32nd Avenue. The current study has developed and evaluated river crossing alternatives in these corridors and related improvements on the local street system as needed. The products of this study may be adopted during a subsequent environmental review process.
Project Timeline
Discovery: March to July 2021
The project team conducted an analysis to understand existing and future conditions, constraints, and stakeholder needs and concerns.
Public input meeting #1 occurred in July/August 2021
Development: August to December 2021
After the Discovery phase, the project team developed and evaluated potential crossing and traffic options that respond to the identified issues and needs.
Public input meeting #2 occurred in December 2021/January 2022
Documentation: December 2021 to January 2022
The project team summarized the study results, including the evaluation process and public involvement.
The study report has been shared online
Ad Hoc Group
To connect with community members, a group consisting of elected officials and community representatives from both sides of the river has been formed and is referred to as the Ad Hoc Group for this project.
The Ad Hoc Group for the Future Bridge Traffic Impact Study provides a balanced representation of stakeholder interests, affected communities, and geographic areas and serve as communication link between those interests and communities and the project team.
Committee members have been appointed by the MPO Executive Policy Board to fill the following seats:
- Elected Officials
- Grand Forks City Council (Ward 5)
- East Grand Forks City Council (At Large)
- Community and Business
- 32nd Avenue Neighborhood
- Elks Drive/24th Avenue Neighborhood
- Near Southside Neighborhood
- Rhinehart Neighborhood
- Bygland Neighborhood
- Rhinehart Township
- Grand Forks School District
- Chamber of Commerce (Grand Forks)
- Chamber of Commerce (East Grand Forks)
The image below shows how the public and other stakeholders, including the Ad Hoc Group, have been involved in the study.