The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) together with the City of West Fargo and other federal, state and local officials celebrated the completion of the reconstruction of Interstate 94 (I-94) and Sheyenne Street interchange, along with the City-led Sheyenne Street corridor from 13th Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W.
“Together we have created an integrated system that will serve this rapidly growing area far into the future,” said Bill Panos, NDDOT Director. “A first for North Dakota, the new I-94 interchange design is a modified single point urban interchange that moves double lanes of Sheyenne Street traffic through one traffic light system. This kind of interchange has been proven to be 60 percent more efficient at moving traffic and safer for drivers as well as pedestrians.”
In 2018, the two-year I-94 and Sheyenne Street corridor reconstruction project kicked off to turn this corridor from a rural highway to an urban transportation network that provides an improved traffic flow, upgraded underground facilities and added safety for all modes of travel. The City of West Fargo oversaw the improvement projects of Sheyenne Street from 13th Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W. and the NDDOT oversaw the I-94 and Sheyenne Street interchange (exit 343) reconstruction.
“In the face of the City of West Fargo’s exponential growth over the past 20 years, the I-94 and Sheyenne Street corridor had experienced a significant increased traffic pressure,” said West Fargo Commission President Bernie Dardis. “Projections were showing that our vehicles count of 15,000 average daily vehicles near the interstate were going to significantly increase to closer to 25,000 or higher and our community needed a solution. Thank you to all the past and present contributors for leading us to today – a significant moment in the history of West Fargo that will provide better service and safety to all who live, work or visit our community. And a special thank you to our residents and businesses who have endured years of construction to get to this day.”
A major priority for the community, pedestrian connectivity is now complete with multiuse paths from 13th Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W., along with additional driving lanes from north to south in West Fargo. A pedestrian underpass was also constructed on the southside of the Sheyenne Street and 32nd Avenue W. intersection to further support the walkability of the corridor and increase safety.
In total, approximately $57.5 million has been invested into the interchange and south Sheyenne Street corridor from 13th Avenue W. to 40th Avenue W. with different combinations of federal, state, city and local funds across the two-years of improvements.
These projects demonstrate the impact of federal, state and city partnerships improving roads to support community growth in North Dakota.