Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves decision document for Third Street reconstruction, favors three‑lane option
Summary
After a presentation by Apex Engineering and public outreach findings, the Minot City Council approved recommended alternatives for the Third Street/Central Avenue reconstruction, favoring a three‑lane design with pedestrian improvements and a federal funding cap noted; vote was 6–1.
The Minot City Council voted March 2 to authorize staff to proceed with the recommended alternatives for the Third Street and Central Avenue reconstruction decision document, advancing final design for a multi-block downtown corridor project.
Apex Engineering project manager Matt Canella and colleague Levi Heler presented the project scope (about six blocks of Third Street and one block of Central Avenue), purpose (pavement and utility replacement, improved pedestrian environment, updated ADA ramps), alternatives and public outreach. Canella told the council the project team received 421 responses to an online survey that helped shape the preferred option. “We did conduct an online survey and we got 421 responses,” he said, noting the feedback reinforced the engineering team’s emphasis on dedicated left‑turn lanes, intersection geometry and pedestrian improvements.
Engineers outlined three build alternatives for each segment: no-build, a three‑lane reconstruction (preferred) that includes a center left‑turn lane and wider sidewalks on portions of the corridor, and a four‑lane alternative that would retain the existing configuration. The presentation described options to remove an existing slip lane, add bulb‑outs to shorten crosswalk distances, and accommodate future quiet‑zone hardware at the railroad crossing. The federal contribution to the project was described as capped at $4.6 million, so many elements will be city-funded depending on final selections.
Council discussion focused on business access during construction, the trade‑offs of bulb‑outs for snow removal and truck movements, and the cost allocation between federal and city funds. Councilmembers emphasized maintaining property and business access during construction and asked staff to minimize disruption through phasing and contractor requirements. Alderman Bless asked how businesses would be kept accessible; Canella and staff said access plans and contractor requirements will be part of final design and specifications.
A motion to approve the staff recommendations on the decision document passed 6–1, with Alderman Fuller dissenting. Staff will proceed to final design for segment one (target construction 2027) and continue planning for segment two at a later date.
