Grand Forks’ largest active construction job is the South 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue underpass, and work will continue into 2027. City Engineer Christian Danielson told the City Council that crews first must relocate utilities and complete railroad “shoofly” tracks before excavating the underpass. At least nine additional city and North Dakota Department of Transportation projects are planned for 2027, although the schedule can change with project costs.
Alex Carmenaty’s report for KNOX News Radio on October 16, 2026, summarized Danielson’s update on projects that began during summer 2026 and projects scheduled for the next construction season. Some continuing work was expected to finish by the end of 2026, while the underpass and several roadway jobs extend into 2027.
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South 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue underpass
The underpass is the largest project currently underway in Grand Forks. Its early stages involve moving city utilities, including water lines, and constructing railroad shoofly tracks. A shoofly temporarily routes trains around an active work area so excavation and structural work can proceed without removing the rail connection.
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After the utility relocation and shoofly work are complete, crews are scheduled to excavate the underpass opening. Danielson said excavation was planned to start on the Monday after his October 16 update and operate as a 24-hour work site for 10 to 14 days, with multiple crews working in shifts.
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Why the project continues into 2027
The underpass will not be complete when excavation ends. Planned 2027 work includes paving the bridges over the underpass. Road closures around the South 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue intersection are therefore expected to continue into 2027. The update did not establish a final opening date, a complete detour plan or a total project cost.
Grand Forks projects planned for 2027
Danielson identified at least nine other city and DOT projects for 2027. The approved city budget contains the list, but Danielson cautioned that it is “subject to change if the projects come in lower or higher.”
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| Location | Planned work |
|---|---|
| North Washington Street | Mill and overlay |
| Gateway Drive and Columbia Road | Intersection improvements |
| South Washington Street, Hammerling Avenue to 32nd Avenue South | Concrete pavement restoration |
| Point Bridge | Resurfacing |
| Minnesota Avenue | Reconstruction |
| 27th Avenue North | Final paving |
| University Avenue, Columbia Road to North 25th Street | Reconstruction |
| 47th Avenue South | Continued paving |
| 32nd Avenue South, Cherry Street to Belmont Road | Reconstruction |
What drivers and nearby residents should expect
- The most significant continuing disruption is expected around South 42nd Street and DeMers Avenue while the underpass and bridge paving proceed.
- The excavation phase is planned as an intensive, round-the-clock operation lasting 10 to 14 days, rather than a normal daytime-only work period.
- The 2027 road list includes a mix of surface treatments, concrete restoration, paving, intersection work and full reconstruction, so traffic effects will vary by location.
- The report does not provide project-by-project costs, bid amounts, exact start dates, detours or completion dates for the nine additional projects.
Where to find the road-project map
The KNOX News Radio report links to the City of Grand Forks’ official one-page 2026 road-project map. That map is the clearest source for the locations shown for the 2026 construction season. Because the 2027 program remains subject to budget and bid changes, residents should check the city’s current project information before planning a route or assuming a listed project will proceed unchanged.
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How the 2027 list could change
The nine-project list is tied to the approved 2027 budget, not a guarantee that every scope and date is fixed. Danielson specifically said costs coming in lower or higher could alter the program. Readers should treat the locations and work types as the city’s current plan and look for later notices for contract awards, staging, closures and completion dates.
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