BISMARCK, N.D. – In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that the preferred alternative for the Main Avenue Reconstruction project in Fargo will have no significant impact on the environment. The preferred alternative has been identified as Alternative C2, along with Option 1 and Option 3.
The preferred alternative consists of a five-lane section from 23rd Street to 17th Street (two eastbound lanes, a two-way left turn lane, and two westbound lanes); and a four-lane section from 17th Street to just west of University Drive (two eastbound lanes, a two-way left turn lane, and one westbound lane). A traffic signal would be replaced at 18th Street and street lighting would be replaced throughout the project corridor. The north curb line would be relocated further south at the northwest corner of the University Drive intersection, reducing the westbound direction to one lane while still allowing large truck traffic enough turning room to make the southbound University Drive to westbound Main Avenue right turn movement. Improvements would be made to the pedestrian environment, including sidewalk reconstruction, removal/relocation of obstructions such as fire hydrants, signs, and/or light poles and light bases, compliance with ADA Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines standards, and streetscape improvements. The sidewalk on the south side of Main Avenue between 25th Street and 23rd Street would be widened and the skew angle of the sidewalk crossing of the BNSF RR spur tracks would be improved to 63.4°, within the desired range to improve sight distance and ease of crossing the railroad tracks. Thirty-one potential access consolidations or closures would increase driveway spacing, improve sight distances for vehicular traffic, and reduce pedestrian-vehicular conflict. Storm sewer and sanitary sewer mains and service lines, manholes, water mains and service lines, valves and hydrants would be replaced within the reconstruction limits.
This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is based on the October 2023 Environmental Assessment, which has been independently evaluated by FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the need, environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project, and appropriate mitigation measures.
The January 2024 FONSI is available for public inspection at the Fargo Public Library, 101 4th St N, Fargo; Fargo City Hall, 225 4th St N, Fargo; the NDDOT Fargo District Office, 503 38th St S, Fargo; the FHWA North Dakota Division Office, 4503 Coleman St, Ste 205, Bismarck; and at the information desk of the North Dakota DOT Central Office, 608 E. Boulevard Ave. in Bismarck.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will consider every request for reasonable accommodation to provide:
- accommodation for people with disabilities,
- language interpretation for people with limited English proficiency (LEP), and
- translations of written material necessary to access NDDOT programs and information.
To request accommodations, contact Heather Christianson, Civil Rights Division, NDDOT, at 701-328-2978 or civilrights@nd.gov. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888.