Improving bike and pedestrian connectivity top of East Grand Forks' safety action projects

Apr. 8—EAST GRAND FORKS — Safety improvements along the Murray Bridge and Bygland Road were among the top projects identified in the draft Safe Streets for All plan, presented to the East Grand Forks City Council Tuesday night.
The Safe Streets for All plan has been
led by the Grand Forks-East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The plan, which comes from a $400,000 federal grant the MPO received, seeks to create a safety action plan and identify projects that could be done to improve traffic safety across greater Grand Forks. Once complete, the plan will open additional safe street funding opportunities and potentially other federal and state funding for projects.
"We are getting to the end of our implementation, project identification phase and getting ready to get into our draft and final report and documentation adoption process," said Cody Christianson of Bolton and Menk, the consultants for the project.
Since March of last year, the MPO has
held numerous meetings about the plan and given presentations to many of the local public bodies
. As the plan nears its final phases, likely in late summer, the MPO is planning more public meetings for opportunities for people to learn about it.
The plan encompasses both Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, with Tuesday's presentation focusing on East Grand Forks.
Among the top segments that have been identified for safety improvements include Bygland Road, the Murray Bridge and the U.S. Highway 2 curve on the northeast side of the city. For Bygland Road and the Murray Bridge, that would include improving bike facilities, which could create better pedestrian connections between the north and south sides of the Red Lake River.
"I'm interested to see what the (advisory) group comes up with to improve the Murray Bridge," City Council President Brian Larson said. "It'll be very beneficial to connect the south end of the Greenway to the north end."
Also identified was the intersection of 12th Avenue Northwest, 17th Street Northwest and River Road as a potential roundabout and the intersection of 14th Street Northeast and Central Avenue. All of the major intersections along Central Avenue north of Highway 2 were identified as potential projects to improve safety.
In other news, the council:
* Received updates from American Crystal Sugar about how operations have been. According to Ryan Wall, vice president of administration, 2024 had a record crop of sugar beets with higher-than-average sugar content. The company expects to finish its processing campaign on May 20, making it one of the longest ever.
* Reviewed a memorandum of understanding for the purchasing model of city fire trucks with surrounding townships. The city and the seven surrounding townships have been partners for fire services since 2009 and this agreement will put in
writing previous council direction given earlier this year.

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