NDOT updates commission on Connect Downtown and 2nd Avenue conversion

Brent Schultz, Connect Downtown coordinator for NDOT, presented an update on the Connect Downtown plan and the proposed conversion of 2nd Avenue (and related street conversions) to improve transit, pedestrian amenities and circulation.

Schultz summarized the plan background, reviewed traffic studies and modeling that identified capacity and intersection congestion issues, and described recommended measures including dedicated bus lanes at intersections, queue jumps, flexible curbs for time‑of‑day loading and expanded sidewalks where feasible. He said crews would install temporary striping so the street does not need to be repaved twice, and that NDOT expects parts of the rebuilt 2nd Avenue to be open later this year if weather permits. NDOT committed to preparing engineering studies for second, third and fourth avenues over the next six months and holding regular public briefings.

Commissioners asked whether the 2nd Avenue conversion is a prerequisite to other conversions, how the proposal interacts with existing protected bike facilities, and whether mill/repave sequencing affects the schedule. NDOT staff said the conversions were studied as an interrelated system and that individual studies and staging plans will be completed to ensure net benefit for the system.

NDOT will provide follow‑up studies, post meeting notices and brief commissioners on next steps.