I-94 Construction | Video

Alex Hagan | 9/6/2012

Another summer season is almost in the books and that means road construction is just about over. However, there is one project just east of Dickinson that`s bringing up several safety concerns.

As drivers head to and from oil country on Interstate 94, they might hit a rather large road construction project. And the detour has drivers a little frustrated.

"It`s really restricted, it`s not able to drive 75 and you know there`s so much traffic out there," said Dickinson resident Allen Rummel.

The project stretches from Taylor all the way to Dickinson, almost 11 miles. Drivers are forced onto a two lane highway on the eastbound side of the road and that has some concerned about safety.

"You have to watch out for yourself and you don`t have to worry about deer anymore, you got to worry about the truck drivers," Rummel said.

However, every summer, the Department of Transportation conducts a reconstruction project on the interstate and this section of the highway needed a makeover.

"It`s been a lot of long hours trying to remove the existing concrete. We have to maintain traffic, two way traffic and that`s a challenge," said project engineer Denis Oyugi.

Law enforcement says with any highway project, safety is always a concern for drivers.

"Every year we do have crashes in construction zones and they can be related to speeding, following too close is a major factor in crashes," said Sgt. Daniel Haugen with the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Despite the frustration with the road construction, the highway patrol says just paying attention to the signs and being cautious can make all the difference.

"It`s important to remember to drive the speed limit, don`t tailgate or follow too closely and don`t pass," Haugen said.

And DOT officials are asking drivers to be patient....

"This is going to be smoother roadway, it`s safer for the public in terms of the guardrail," Oyugi said.

In a booming state like North Dakota, patience is a virtue for drivers.

DOT officials say the portion of the road they`re working on had major potholes. The project is expected to be completed in November.

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