Truckers to be remembered in facelift of Enchanted Highway

The Trucker News Services

2/14/2008

DICKINSON, N.D. — The Enchanted Highway, which historically has accommodated a heavy volume of truck traffic, is scheduled for a facelift.

Truckers who travel the highway will be glad to know that they’ll not be forgotten when work on the project begins.

According to Stark County Road Supt. Al Heiser, repairs to the 18-mile stretch of county road between Interstate 94 and Regent, N.D., likely will start in May. He said a bid opening is set for March 28.

The Enchanted Highway, a southwestern North Dakota tourist attraction, features a series of huge metal sculptures by artist Gary Greff. Heiser said it also has heavy truck traffic, and officials are planning a new turning lane for trucks.

The highway is used heavily by truck drivers and the general usage of road is greater than one may think.

“There is a phenomenal amount of traffic,” Heiser said. “During harvest season there’s between 175 to 200 trucks per day from the terminal and about 40 percent of them come up the Enchanted Highway,” Heiser said.

The heavy truck traffic will also be factored into improvements made along the highway.

“Something new we’re going to have is a turning lane for trucks when you hit Highway 10,” Heiser said. “A lot of it is for safety...those long trucks are tough to get stopped.”

He said a turning lane also helps truckers save on fuel and brakes.

Since the Enchanted Highway is heavily used, Heiser said the highway is to be paved one lane at a time, using a pilot car to lead traffic.

“The traffic will still flow, but there might be some delays,” Heiser said. “It shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”

Heiser said the repairs are expected to be finished by the end of September. The road was last paved about 20 years ago.

 “It needs a thin lift overlay, which is an inch and a half (of pavement),” Heiser said.

The planning process for this project began about three years ago. The finances are now in order and the project is nearly ready to accept bids.

The work will encompass the entire 18 miles of the highway. Heiser said the project should require only about two weeks. Work will begin according to the availability of the bid-winning contractor.

Repaving the highway is not the only change that’s to be made to the Enchanted Highway. Although recently conducted studies are not yet complete, Heiser said they will have an impact on improvements made to the highway.

The studies monitor average speed of drivers, crash history and the number of vehicles using the highway.

“That’s all going to be factored into the recommendation for the speed limit,” Heiser said. “Depending on our speed study, the no passing zone may change. The speed limit might go up but I’m not sure.”