And It Begins: The Construction Nightmare On The Strip In Mandan

Originally, the road construction nightmare on the Strip in Mandan (Memorial Highway) was supposed to begin on April 1st, 2025.

Because of our winter weather blast last week, it was delayed a week, and it officially begins TODAY, April 7th, 2025.

We have been hearing about this road construction project for several years now. In case you didn't know, our radio stations are located on Memorial Highway in Mandan, so this is something we have all been dreading for a while now.

The Strip tends to get backed up as it is during rush hour, and when you add some road construction to the mix, look out.

Details of what's going to happen first with road construction on the Strip.

I spoke over the weekend to a member of the North Dakota Department of Transportation, and she shared her insights and timelines.

Traffic changes include: You will have one lane only going in each direction on Memorial Highway with a center turn lane. There will also be an 11-foot width restriction.

Traffic speeds will also be reduced from 40 to 25 miles per hour.

Yikes, get ready to slow to a crawl. Construction progression will begin at the storm sewer east outfall and 19th Street closure (this began on April 1st and will last for approximately 3 weeks).

Then it will move to the 21st Street closure and then to the 40th Street lift station construction. After this point, half of the Memorial Highway roadway removal will begin.

What are the Memorial Highway project highlights?

New concrete roadway with curb and gutter. The potholes on the Strip are terrible right now. New concrete is so needed. The new gutters are designed to improve flooding issues, which the Strip is currently prone to.

Storm sewer and drainage updates. Underground utility enhancements. Safer business access, upgraded lighting, and a path for pedestrians and cyclists.

There will be a project open house coming up this Wednesday, April 9th.

It will be from 4 to 7 pm at Midway Lanes, located at 3327 Memorial Highway.

You can follow the progress of construction online here.

The Memorial Highway Reconstruction project is a two-phase project, anticipated to take three years to complete: 2025-2027.