Frequently Asked Questions

How will improvements to 17^th Street N be funded?

Since the study report is just being drafted, funding specifics have not yet been identified.  However, some funding sources may include Federal highway funds, State of Minnesota funds, City of Moorhead general fund, and special assessments.  The City of Moorhead has indicated that special assessments will only be utilized for the mill and overlay (asphalt repaving) portion of the project and that the City will seek alternative funding options for improvements above and beyond the mill and overlay.  Special assessments are capped by the category of project; for construction work associated directly with the mill and overlay project in 2022 for example, additional costs will NOT be assessed to property owners unless the work changes the project category from mill and overlay to rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Will any improvements to 17^th St N impact the street’s designation as a snow emergency route?

No improvements presented as part of this plan will impact the City of Moorhead’s designation of 17^th St N as a snow emergency route; the street will remain a snow emergency route.

Why are bikeways being considered as part of this plan?

Bikeways are being considered as part of this plan based upon several recent public-engaged planning efforts by the City of Moorhead and Metro COG including the City of Moorhead Comprehensive Plan, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1^st Avenue North Corridor Study, and the 2045 Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Transportation Plan.  Based upon these recent planning efforts, bikeways on 17^th St N would provide a critical connection to existing and future bike facilities while reinforcing the goals, objectives, and policy direction of said plans.

Why is 17^th Street N being studied in collaboration with the City of Moorhead and Metro COG?

The corridor section between 1^st Ave N and 15^th Ave N is being studied because the City of Moorhead wants to know what other factors may need to be addressed in the future, possibly in conjunction with a mill and overlay (asphalt resurfacing) project slated for 2022.  In particular the City would like to identify and address concerns that have arisen due to the 17^th St N corridor’s excessive width including but not limited to:  increased long-term maintenance (i.e. snow removal, routine pavement rehabilitation, etc.), safety concerns, stormwater issues, vehicle speeds, and increased livability.  By studying the corridor now, the City will have a better understanding of which issues may also be more efficiently and cost effectively addressed during the mill and overlay project, rather than a completely separate project.  Because 17^th Street N is on the Federal Functionally Classified roadway system for our area, Metro COG is able to utilize Consolidated Planning Grant (CPG) funds to help offset 80% of the local cost of conducting the corridor study.

17^th Street N seems to be in fair condition.  Is this study actually looking to reconstruct the roadway? Aren't there other roadway projects besides 17^th Street N in Moorhead that should take priority over this corridor?

Reconstruction of this roadway section would be avoided unless absolutely necessary.  As mentioned above, a mill and overlay of 17^th St N is planned for 2022.  The mill and overlay project is necessary to preserve the longevity of the roadway and reduce the need for a much costlier full reconstruction in the future.  If reconstruction of the roadway is deemed necessary, only certain portions would be considered, depending upon the alternative selected.  17^th Street N is considered a Major Collector and is one of many roadways in the City that is slated for a capital improvement project as identified by the City of Moorhead’s  2020-2024 Pavement Management & Transportation Improvement Plan.

How will improvements to 17^th Street N be funded?

Since the study report is just being drafted, funding specifics have not yet been identified.  However, some funding sources may include Federal highway funds, State of Minnesota funds, City of Moorhead general fund, and special assessments.  The City of Moorhead has indicated that special assessments will only be utilized for the mill and overlay portion of the project and that the City will seek alternative funding options for improvements above and beyond the mill and overlay.

Why is the roadway so wide? Is there a historic or other reason for the width?

Please see the webpage about 17^th Street’s History that debunks the popular theories out there as to why the roadway is so wide including:

• Additional runway for the Moorhead Municipal Airport
• Drag racing strip
• Original US Highway 75 alignment
• Planned industrial use to serve sugar beet harvesting and processing (American Crystal Sugar related)

Metro COG researched the history of the corridor and determined none of the theories listed above were feasible.

Mark Peihl, Archivist with the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, believes that the street may have been platted wide and named Park Avenue in 1881 to make it more prestigious and the lots along it more valuable.  It is unknown if there was ever a plan for a park adjacent to the street, there is no evidence of there being a park, and currently there is no park adjacent to 17^th Street N (historic Park Avenue).

Why is it necessary to look at alternatives for the 17^th Street N corridor?

Identifying alternatives or other possible corridor improvements is a very important part of the 17^th Street N Corridor Study.  Alternatives help find a balance between varying levels of project costs, public support, and an alternative’s ability to meet the transportation goals and objectives identified by the community and project partners involved in the 17^th St N Corridor Study.