File photo: Jacob Anderson, KFGO News
MOORHEAD (KFGO) – Drivers in Moorhead will soon bypass one of the community’s most congested rail corridors, as Center Avenue and 11th Street are scheduled to reopen to traffic by early Thursday evening.
The reopening marks the completion of the 11th Street Grade Separation project. The $171 million infrastructure overhaul created two grade separations carrying 11th Street beneath the BNSF Railway lines, eliminating chronic traffic blockages caused by heavy freight trains that routinely severed local routes and delayed emergency response vehicles.
“This major investment in infrastructure will improve daily life in Moorhead, ease commutes and improve safety, accessibility and emergency response times,” Minnesota Department of Transportation District Engineer Shiloh Wahl said. “We are grateful to residents and businesses for their understanding and support of the project, and we look forward to reopening on Oct. 15.”
Beyond the new rail bridges, crews installed new roadway pavement, rebuilt pedestrian sidewalks, modernized traffic signals, and replaced aging underground drainage and municipal utilities.
Work on the grade separation began in March 2024 and advanced in phases to manage traffic disruptions. Ames Construction completed the work under a $114.8 million construction contract. The broader project was financed through a combination of state bonding, federal grants and local funds.
State and local officials joined community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 7 to commemorate the project’s completion ahead of the roadway’s return to service.
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