Moorhead council approves 40th Avenue South mill-and-overlay with roundabout and property assessments

The Moorhead City Council voted May 11 to order improvements and proceed toward awarding bids for the 40th Avenue South mill-and-overlay project from 8th Street to 20th Street South.

City Engineer Tom Trowbridge told the council the roadway’s pavement condition index ranges from about 24 to 44, and that a mill-and-overlay is an effective rehabilitation for the corridor. The project includes pedestrian upgrades—two rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), refuge islands and widened sidewalks—and a mini roundabout at the primary intersection to reduce vehicle speeds.

Trowbridge summarized the estimated costs: total project bids are currently about $4,175,000, of which roughly $1,210,000 (about 30%) will be assessed to properties within the benefit area. Most parcels would pay an area-wide assessment equivalent to about $620.20 per equivalent unit; front-foot assessments for direct-access properties are about $45 per front foot, and the school district’s combined assessments could total in the tens of thousands of dollars (Trowbridge cited an example maximum of $94,000 for a large property). He said the city typically bonds these projects and the financing approach generally results in assessments near 30% of the total cost.

The presentation emphasized safety data and alternatives. Trowbridge said the council and staff evaluated signals, flashing stop signs and even underpasses; stop-sign compliance at the existing four-way stop was low in traffic videos, he said, and targeted engineering—road diet, refuge islands, RRFBs and a compact roundabout—should reduce speeds to roughly 10–20 miles per hour at the circle and improve pedestrian safety. He told the council the city coordinated with the school district on design and timing; construction was expected to start in June and be substantially complete before school resumes in September.

Residents gave mixed testimony at the public hearing. Alicia Mylander, who lives in the assessment area, opposed the roundabout and questioned whether flashing signs or traffic signals had been sufficiently considered and how repeated specials would affect homeowners. William Waitman, also in the assessment area, urged the council to approve the project as an investment in neighborhood safety and desirability. Other residents asked about winter plowing of refuge islands and whether the design would protect children walking to school.

After questions from council members and additional explanation from staff about maintenance and design details, Council member Lisa Borgen moved to order the improvements. The motion and a related motion to approve the associated resolution were both approved by the council.

Trowbridge noted the formal order to proceed and the assessment hearing schedule: following construction, the city will hold an assessment hearing in the fall to finalize individual assessments. He also reminded the council the order-to-improve resolution requires a positive vote of seven council members when the resolution is adopted, and awarding bids requires at least six votes under the city’s assessment procedures.

The council’s action moves the project from preliminary engineering into the bid-award and construction phase; residents with questions about specific assessment amounts were directed to the city engineering office and the project website for details and maps.