Manage Delivery
A new bridge over the Big Ditch is still about two years away.
But the city is preparing to widen the intersection at Ridge Road and 13th Street so that it will be ready for a significant increase in traffic.
City Council members will vote Tuesday whether to budget another $5 million for the $50 million project.
It would add a second left-turn lane to channel more vehicles from southbound Ridge onto 13th Street, which will one day provide access to I-235.
It also would add a second right-hand turn lane to 13th Street to let more cars head north on Ridge.
City Engineer Jim Armour said the intersection is already in bad shape. He said he doesn't anticipate needing extra turn lanes on other parts of the intersection.
The floodway crossing will allow drivers to access southbound I-235 from 13th Street west of the Big Ditch and let drivers exit northbound I-235 to 13th Street west of the Big Ditch.
