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MnDOT proposes US‑2B rebuild with schoolpath; city will keep north‑side parking
Summary
MnDOT presented its 2029 US‑2B reconstruction plan for East Grand Forks, proposing a multiuse path in front of Sacred Heart School and removal of south‑side parking. After business and council concerns, MnDOT said it would preserve north‑side parking; estimated city cost for trunk‑highway items could be capped near $78,000 under a proposed participation policy.
MnDOT representatives presented details of a planned 2029 reconstruction of Highway US‑2B through East Grand Forks, including signal replacements, full concrete reconstruction on key segments and a 3‑inch mill‑and‑overlay on others. The project would add a shared‑use path in front of Sacred Heart School and new sidewalks where none now exist.
Josh Comstock, introduced to the council as a Minnesota Department of Transportation representative, said the south side of the highway would need to lose parking to fit an 8–10‑foot shared‑use path and shorten pedestrian crossing distances in the school zone. He asked the council whether north‑side parking should be retained.
Comstock told the council the state is considering a new cost‑participation cap that would limit city costs for trunk‑highway‑eligible items to about $78,000. He said items such as signals and lighting are trunk‑highway eligible; city‑owned utilities (for example, storm sewer and existing street‑lighting systems) would remain a city cost.
A council member who said a spouse owns a nearby salon said north‑side parking is used by elderly clients and raised safety concerns at a blind corner near 3rd Avenue. Comstock said removing parking at corners and adding bump‑outs reduces crossing distance and improves sightlines; he also said MnDOT would evaluate adding a rapid‑flashing beacon if feasible.
After discussion, Comstock said MnDOT would change the design to preserve parking on the north side of US‑2B while removing south‑side parking to accommodate the path and school‑zone improvements. He said updated design materials would be shared with the city administrator in the coming weeks.
Council members also asked about scheduling. A council member urged that construction near American Crystal Sugar avoid August–October harvest months; MnDOT acknowledged that concern and said the timing can be addressed in bidding documents. On lighting, MnDOT said removal of existing city lights would be a city cost while the new system installation would be state‑funded but returned to city maintenance when complete (MnDOT estimated lighting work at about $152,000).
The presentation concluded with MnDOT offering to return with updated drawings and cost details as design progresses.
