Latest news with #NorthDakotaDepartmentofTransportation
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
North Dakota traffic fatalities hit 24-year low in 2024
Jun. 11—NORTH DAKOTA — In 2024, 89 drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians were killed on North Dakota roads, 17 fewer than in 2023 and the lowest number of yearly fatalities recorded in more than two decades. "That 89 number is the lowest fatality count in 24 years," said Lauren Wahlman, safety public information program manager for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. "Normally, North Dakota is around the 100 mark for fatalities, so to see it drop to 89 is very encouraging." Fatalities have been on a fairly steady decrease since the statewide initiative Vision Zero was established in 2018, Wahlman said. That is, until 2023, when they rose to 106, which was eight more than 2022. She believes the decrease in 2024 can be attributed to a number of factors, but perhaps the most significant are the primary seat belt law going into effect in August 2023 and lower rates of impaired driving. There were 19 alcohol-related fatalities in 2024, compared to 33 in 2023, Wahlman said. Some toxicology reports are still pending, though, according to a May 27 Vision Zero press release. Transportation services like Lyft and Uber may be partly responsible for the decrease, Wahlman said. Also, the NDDOT's Vision Zero department has been working closely with law enforcement to carry out enforcement efforts that target behaviors such as driving under the influence. "Those types of enforcements, they're really getting law enforcement out there, and people are able to recognize it," Wahlman said. "So if they're driving down the road and they see more law enforcement presence, they're more likely to make sure that they're following the posted speed limits, wearing their seat belt and driving sober." In 2024, speed-related deaths decreased from 24 to 21, and pedestrian deaths were halved, from 10 to five. Fatalities involving unbelted vehicle occupants decreased from 37 to 30. Wearing a seat belt is the number one thing people can do to protect themselves while inside a motor vehicle, Wahlman said. "You can be the best driver out on the road — following posted speed limits, driving distraction free, driving sober — but if you're not wearing your seat belt, you can't predict what other drivers are going to do," she said. "If you do get involved in a crash, it's going to be your best defense to prevent a severe injury or a fatality." The primary seat belt law — which allows law enforcement to pull people over solely for not wearing a seat belt, and requires all vehicle passengers to wear them — has helped increase the number of people who comply, because they don't want to face a citation, Wahlman said. But it's also just becoming more of the norm; it's being talked about more, and younger generations are learning to buckle up from a young age. "We're really hoping that more of them are going to be wearing their seat belts and driving distraction free, driving sober, because we're really pushing this education at a younger level," Wahlman said. Though most categories saw a decrease in fatalities last year, two saw increases. Fatal lane departures rose from 52 to 57. "That has actually been a pretty steady increase for fatalities," Wahlman said. "A majority of our fatalities on our roads can be attributed to lane departure. So it's anytime that someone is leaving their intended lane of traffic." Lane departures can be caused by many things, and the reasons are often under reported, she said. Distracted, impaired and drowsy driving are some of the contributors. If someone survives a crash like this, they may not want to admit that they were distracted; if the crash ends in a fatality, it can be difficult to determine whether it was caused by some type of distraction. Motorcyclist deaths also increased in 2024, from 16 to 17, the release said. "We are seeing a pretty steady increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities from year to year," Wahlman said. "That's been one category that's been consistently at the same level or increasing." Common contributors in these crashes are speed, inexperience and impairment, she said. Additionally, nearly 75% of fatal motorcycle crashes within the last five years involved a motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet. Wahlman said the NDDOT is encouraging motorcyclists to wear appropriate safety gear and take a motorcycle safety course, even more than once, as it can be helpful to refresh their knowledge after a long winter likely spent not riding. Other motorists are also encouraged to be aware of motorcyclists and leave room for them on the roads. Vision Zero is a state initiative put in place in 2018 by then-Gov. Doug Burgum, the state Department of Transportation, the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state Department of Health. Its goal, according to the Vision Zero website, is "to establish a culture of shared responsibility where motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries are recognized as preventable and not tolerated. The mission is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roadways."
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Roundabout chosen for intersection in Jamestown
Jun. 3—JAMESTOWN — The North Dakota Department of Transportation has selected the roundabout option for the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street Southeast intersection, according to Jamestown City Councilman David Steele. Steele informed the City Council during committee reports on Monday, June 2, that the North Dakota Department of Transportation has also selected a five-lane road with a two-way left-turn for Business Loop West, which is similar to the existing road. The project would reconstruct the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street Southeast intersection and Business Loop West from 4th Avenue Southwest to 10th Street Southeast. The two bridges on Business Loop West will also be replaced. The project includes restriping 1st Avenue South from 7th to 10th Street Southeast to help match the configuration of the Road Diet project further north in the downtown area. The other three alternatives for the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street intersection were a radial T, double crossover and displaced left turns. The other three alternatives for the reconstruction of Business Loop West were four lanes with full intersection access at all streets with raised medians, four lanes with three-fourths intersection access with a raised median, and four-lane right-in and right-out intersection access with a raised median. The estimated cost is nearly $9.2 million for the roundabout and about $6.5 million for the five-lane road with a two-way left-turn lane, The Jamestown Sun reported in February. The purpose of the project is to address bridge and pavement condition, vehicular traffic operations and sidewalks for bicyclists or individuals who walk along and adjacent to the U.S. Highway 52 corridor in Jamestown from 7th Street to 4th Avenue Southwest, the Sun reported in February. The city of Jamestown's Land Use and Transportation Plan identifies the need to improve traffic operations and pedestrian comfort at the intersection of 1st Avenue South and 10th Street Southeast, The Sun reported. The Land Use and Transportation Plan also identifies the need to address gaps in the sidewalk and trail system in the general area. Construction on the project is scheduled for summer 2027. The Jamestown City Council unanimously approved listing city-owned properties for sale in southeast Jamestown. The city-owned properties are located at 301 and 401 11th Ave. SE and 1104 and 1220 Railroad Drive SE. The properties at 301 and 401 11th Ave. SE are in the Harold P. Bensch Addition. The properties at 1104 and 1220 Railroad Drive SE are in the Kourajian Second Addition. The request for proposals for the four properties will be advertised on June 7 with applications due on Aug. 15. The selection date and notice will be on Sept. 2-3, respectively, or as determined by the City Council. The minimum price acceptable for each of the properties is $2 per square foot at 401 11th Ave. SE and $2.50 per square foot at 301 11th Ave. SE, according to the city of Jamestown's request for proposals. The minimum price is $2 per square foot for the property at 1104 Railroad Drive SE. Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said the price of the property at 1220 Railroad Drive SE, which includes a building, is $151,600. "One of the other conditions on the sale of that one with the building on it is that ... the exterior has to be refurbished because it doesn't look very good right now," Heinrich said. The purchaser must agree to sell the property back to the city at the original purchase price if development does not occur within 30 months of the purchase in accordance with the development plan submitted as part of the original purchase proposal. The City Council unanimously approved the annexation of property adjacent to 25th Street and 11th Avenue Southwest. The property is about 7 acres and is located west of Walmart. The property will be used for the construction of a housing complex, Heinrich said at the Jamestown Finance and Legal Committee meeting on May 20. The annexation request was made by Beyond Shelter Inc. and Jtown Land LLC. In other business, the City Council held the first reading of an ordinance to amend and reenact section 8, article 1 of the city of Jamestown's municipal code related to keeping fowl. The ordinance would loosen restrictions on keeping fowl within city limits by eliminating a setback requirement from the applicant's residence. The current ordinance for keeping fowl in an enclosure has a setback requirement of 100 feet at its nearest point from any residence. "Fowl shall be kept in an enclosure not less than 60 feet at its nearest point from any other residence, including any attached structures, and must be constructed as to prevent such fowl from wandering or flying from the enclosure," the new ordinance says. "Any enclosure for the Fowl shall be not less than 30 feet from the permittee's residence and any attached structures." The proposed number of chickens allowed is up to eight. Heinrich said the topic will be on the agenda for the Finance and Legal Committee meeting on June 24. "We do have some proposed changes, and I have visited with our city attorney and we know there's some other changes, but we're confident that we're not ready to go forward with that," he said before the first reading of the ordinance. Lisa Kainz, a Jamestown resident, said the setback distance of 100 feet from a neighbor's residence is "not the best thing." "I know my neighbors personally and they're 150 feet from me because where I live, but I also believe that if you are a minority and you don't have what I have and you receive permission from your neighbors and the majority of the people around you would like you to be able to have chickens because they would enjoy them also, they should have that right," she said.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Grand Forks Police Department to participate in distracting driving enforcement campaign
Mar. 24—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks Police Department will participate in a distracted driving enforcement campaign throughout April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This safety campaign is funded through grants awarded by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, according to a press release issued by the GFPD. The funding allows additional officers to be assigned on duty in order to target distracted driving violations. The GFPD participates in enforcement campaigns like this with the goal of making Grand Forks' roadways safer, the release said. The use of wireless communications devices to compose, read or send electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle on any street or highway is prohibited. Those who do so can be fined $200. The GFPD wants to remind the public of the following safe driving tips: remember to always look out for small children and slow down around areas such as parks, schools and residential areas; drive defensively and expect the unexpected; use appropriate occupant and child restraints; never drink and drive; and never text and drive.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NDDOT expects to have plans ready in 2026 for intersection, Business Loop West in Jamestown
Feb. 19—JAMESTOWN — The North Dakota Department of Transportation is expected to have plans ready to go to bid by May 1, 2026, for a project to reconstruct a major intersection and road in Jamestown, according to Wayne Zacher, urban engineer for the NDDOT. The project would reconstruct the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street Southeast intersection and Business Loop West from 4th Avenue Southwest to 10th Street Southeast. The two bridges on Business Loop West will also be replaced. The project includes restriping 1st Avenue South from 7th to 10th Street Southeast to help match the configuration of the Road Diet project further north in the downtown area. The NDDOT has not made a final decision on the options for the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street Southeast intersection and the reconstruction of Business Loop West from 4th Avenue Southwest to 10th Street Southeast. Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said the NDDOT made a recommendation to the Jamestown City Council and the council unanimously agreed with its recommendation. The recommendation included a roundabout for the U.S. Highway 52 and 10th Street Southeast intersection and a five-lane road with a two-way left-turn lane for Business Loop West, which is similar to the existing road. Zacher said the NDDOT wants everything ready for the project to go to bid by May 1, 2026. He said the project is expected to use funds for 2027. He said the NDDOT's consultant has received multiple recommendations for the options. "The consultant is actually working through the comments and recommendations that were received during the draft document review, and then once those are incorporated, they'll be resubmitted, and then we will work through our process and up to our deputy director for engineering to make all my decisions on how to move forward with the project," Zacher said. The other three alternatives for the 10th Street Intersection are a radial T, double crossover and displaced left turns. "I do believe that the roundabout is the best option for that," Heinrich said. "I believe ... that intersection is quite frankly a perfect one for a roundabout." Heinrich said a roundabout will be safer at the intersection. "There have been a fairly good number of accidents there over the past years," he said. "My guess is that that number will be reduced." Heinrich said the roundabout will help prevent traffic congestion in other areas in Jamestown. "You're just going to swap to the roundabout a little bit and move on right through and keep traffic flowing," he said. " ... It should keep that traffic flowing." He said the city won't have to worry about traffic lights failing at the intersection as well. "There's also the added safety feature here of crosswalks with rapid-flashing beacons on both sides of the road and one in a middle median to make it much easier for pedestrian traffic to pass through there," Heinrich said. The other three alternatives for the reconstruction of Business Loop West are four lanes with full intersection access at all streets with raised medians, four lanes with three-fourths intersection access with a raised median and four-lane right-in and right-out intersection access with a raised median. The estimated cost is nearly $9.2 million for the roundabout and about $6.5 million for the five-lane road with a two-way left-turn lane, according to an NDDOT report with SRF Consulting Group as the principal author. The purpose of the project is to address bridge and pavement condition, vehicular traffic operations and sidewalks for bicyclists or individuals who walk along and adjacent to the U.S. Highway 52 corridor in Jamestown from 7th Street to 4th Avenue Southwest, the NDDOT report says. The report says the city of Jamestown's Land Use and Transportation Plan identifies the need to improve traffic operations and pedestrian comfort at the intersection of 1st Avenue South and 10th Street Southeast. The Land Use and Transportation Plan also identifies the need to address gaps in the sidewalk and trail system in the general area. The roundabout option includes a single-lane roundabout and single-lane bypass lanes for all three approaches. It also includes two-lane entries to all streets. The bypass lanes would have medians painted on pavement separating them from the circular roadway. The roundabout will include raised medians to separate lanes opposing directions of traffic and to help create a refuge for pedestrians, the report says. Painted medians between the roundabout and bypass lanes will reduce the total pedestrian crossing distances. The roundabout option requires the acquisition of permanent right of way from northeast properties and parking space reconfiguration. The properties include the former Hardee's and the building that houses Cornerstone Nutrition and Kropp Law Offices P.C. The five-lane option is similar to what currently exists on Business Loop West, the report says. Tenth Street Southwest and Riverside Drive would be realigned so vehicles can easily cross Business Loop West. The five-lane option also has two protected pedestrian crossings adjacent to U.S. Highway 52. Portions of the two-way left-turn lane may be removed at potential pedestrian crossing locations to allow for the construction of a pedestrian refuge. All side-street and mainline vehicle movements will be permitted at public intersections. The estimated cost of the five-lane option is about $6.5 million. The radial T includes two lanes for southbound and westbound traffic going westbound. It would include one lane for eastbound traffic going northbound, eastbound going eastbound, southbound going eastbound and westbound going northbound. It would also include one traffic signal and pedestrian crossings. The estimated cost is more than more than $8.7 million for the radial T intersection. The double crossover includes three traffic signals with pedestrian crossings. Left-turn movements would cross over at two signals. Only right turns would be allowed to get onto 2nd Avenue Southeast or get off that street. The estimated cost is more than $9.3 million for the double crossover intersection. The intersection with the displaced left turns includes westbound left-turn movements that would cross over at the east signal. The intersection would include two traffic signals with pedestrian crossings. Only right turns would be allowed to get onto 2nd Avenue Southeast or get off that street. The estimated cost is more than $9.3 million for the displaced left turns intersection. The other three alternatives for the reconstruction of Business Loop West are four lanes with full intersection access at all streets with raised medians, four lanes with three-fourths intersection access with a raised median and four-lane right-in and right-out intersection access with a raised median. The four-lane option with full intersection includes installing raised medians from 4th Avenue Southwest to 10th Street Southwest and from 10th Street Southwest to 2nd Avenue Southwest. Tenth Street Southwest and Riverside Drive would be realigned. There would be a left-turn lane for eastbound and westbound traffic to turn onto 10th Street Southwest. The estimated cost is $6.4 million for the four-lane option with a full intersection including raised medians. The four-lane option with three-fourths intersection access includes installing raised medians from 4th Avenue Southwest to 10th Street Southwest, 10th Street Southwest to 2nd Avenue Southwest and 2nd Avenue Southwest to the 10th Street Southeast intersection. Traffic from 4th Avenue Southwest, 10th Street Southwest and 2nd Avenue Southwest would only be able to make right turns to get onto Business Loop West. There would be a left-turn lane for eastbound and westbound traffic to turn onto 10th Street Southwest. A left-turn lane for westbound traffic would also be added to turn onto 2nd Avenue Southwest. The estimated cost is more than $6.4 million for the four-lane option with three-fourths intersection. The four-lane right-in and right-out intersection option includes installing a median from the bottom of Mill Hill to the 10th Street Southeast intersection. Only right turns would be allowed for traffic on 4th Avenue Southwest, 10th Street Southwest, Riverside Drive and 2nd Avenue Southwest. The estimated cost is about $5.9 million for the four-lane right-in and right-out intersection option.
