The University Drive reconstruction will reach a milestone next week as Northern Improvement moves toward the project's completion date of Oct. 21.

On Monday, Northern plans on switching traffic to the newly reconstructed west half of the project, which received 51/2 inches of new asphalt this week, spokesman Bruce Thompson said. Intersections at Wachter and Denver avenues have been closed much of the week while they are being paved.

"We'll switch the traffic control at each end and funnel traffic from the existing pavement to the new pavement. There will be delineators and control devices set up to guide traffic," Thompson says. "It doesn't look like we'll have to close the road to switch traffic, we'll just begin the transfer during off-peak times, either late at night or early in the morning."

Once the traffic is switched, Northern will begin removing the pavement on the east side, and Cofell Plumbing and Heating will start installing storm sewer components. West access to the mobile home park just east of University Drive will be limited, but the east access to the mobile home park will remain open.

The concrete barriers also will be removed. The reconstructed portion of University Drive is up to 1.5 to 2 feet lower than the east side, which is entering the reconstruction stage, so it was decided the barriers weren't needed. Orange plastic pylons will be used to separate the work from the traffic and warn drivers of the change in elevation.

"When the state designed the project it lowered the road's elevation, allowing for better drainage," Thompson said.

Traffic on the newly reconstructed portion will have two lanes, one north and one south, a combined 23 feet wide. This is nearly the same width as presently available, Thompson said, "but the rides are going to be much smoother now."

When completed, the one-mile section of University Drive between Bismarck Expressway and 12th Street, will be five lanes wide, allowing traffic to move more efficiently. Two new traffic lights will go up at the intersections with Wachter and Denver.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)