June 2, 2025

Milling and removal operations are in progress along Memorial Highway as construction continues. Drivers are urged to stay alert and exercise extra caution when passing through the construction zone due to the increased truck traffic and flaggers in the area.

•  On 40th Avenue SE, traffic has shifted to a temporary roadway.
• 19th Street SE reopened in May with the completion of utility and storm sewer improvements.
• 21st Street SE is currently closed for the installation of an underground storm water trunk line. The roadway should open up in late-June, pending any delays. A signed detour will be in place or you may choose an alternate route. Please make plans in advance

Construction has begun on a lift station at 40th Avenue SE, designed to pump wastewater from lower to higher elevations while reducing excavation expenses typically related to installing sewer pipes. As part of this work, 40th Avenue SE will be shifting back to its original alignment, and Memorial Highway traffic will be shifting to the recently constructed temporary roadway surface.

Throughout the project, one lane in each direction and a center turn lane will remain open to help keep vehicles moving. The speed is lowered to 25 mph and there is an 11-foot width restriction. 

Please be aware that lane directions and locations will shift as crews continue to work on different sections of the roadway. Please slow down in the work zone, pay attention to signage and crews, and continue supporting local businesses along “The Strip.”

Upcoming Work. Ongoing construction activities on mainline Memorial Highway include removal of existing surfacing, roadway grading activities and construction of temporary surfacing.

Information regarding street closures and proposed detour routes will be available on the City of Mandan’s project website. Visit cityofmandan.com/mhp or scan the QR code below. 

MPO launches Memorial Highway gift card program

The Mandan Progress Organization (MPO) recently launched the Memorial Card digital gift card program to support businesses along Memorial Highway during ongoing road construction. The program started Memorial Day weekend and aims to encourage continued local spending over the two phase, three-year reconstruction project.

How It Works:

• Digital gift cards can be purchased at visitmandan.com beginning on Tuesday, May 27^th.
• Buyers receive a 25% bonus gift card with their purchase (e.g., buy a $100 card, get an extra $25). Cards have a one-time eDelivery fee.
• Both the original and bonus cards are delivered via email and text as a digital wallet file.
• The bonus amount is funded by the Mandan Growth Fund through the Mandan Progress Organization.
• The original gift card never expires; however, the bonus card may have an expiration date to manage program duration.
• Cards can be redeemed at any participating businesses in the Memorial Highway Tier 1 and 2 special assessment districts.
• Businesses process the gift cards via manual credit card entry process — no additional technology or additional fees other than normal credit card processing fees. The card operates on the Mastercard network.

Morton County is updating its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and needs your input! Completing the survey will help Morton County better understand the risks our community faces from natural hazards and man-made threats. Resident feedback helps guide local strategies to reduce impacts and improve safety.

To complete the survey, please use this link surveymonkey.com/r/MortonCountyMitigationPlan or scan the QR code below with your smart phone camera.

It only takes a few minutes, and your voice matters! Thank you for helping keep Morton County safe and resilient.

Due to current phases of the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Memorial Highway Reconstruction Project, changes are being implemented for the staging and spectator viewing areas for the Mandan Independence Day Parade.

Beginning this year, parade staging will take place along West Memorial Highway from Third St SE to Mandan Ave. As a result, there will be no public viewing of the parade along Memorial Highway in 2025. Spectators are encouraged to find viewing spots along Main Street and surrounding areas designated for public access.

To accommodate the revised parade staging, West Memorial Highway from Third St SE to Mandan Ave will close at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 4 and remain closed for the duration of the parade. Access to businesses will remain open. Parade spectators and Mandan Rodeo Days attendees are encouraged to plan ahead and anticipate slower traffic when entering Mandan from Memorial Highway. Alternate routes into Mandan are strongly encouraged to ensure timely arrival for the day’s festivities.

“As we prepare for another unforgettable Independence Day celebration, I want to thank our residents, businesses and visitors for their flexibility and understanding as we navigate changes brought on by the Memorial Highway reconstruction project,” says Mayor Jim Froelich. “While this year’s parade staging shift may temporarily impact some traditions, it’s important to remember the spirit of the 4th of July in Mandan remains as strong as ever. We’re proud to continue to host one of the state’s largest Independence Day celebrations, and I encourage everyone to plan ahead and join us for a safe and festive day.” 

For updates about parade logistics, parking, and Mandan Rodeo Days events, stay tuned to visitmandan.com.

The City Commission recently approved a resolution determining the insufficiency of protests for Street Improvement District 236, also known as First Street Improvements Phase I. North Dakota Century Code requires letters of protest to come from property owners in the specific improvement district. A total of 491 protest letters were received, with the most coming from residents outside the district and non-residents. After review, 20% of the district was protested, but over 50% is required by state law for a project to be protested out.

Parking concerns. Letters of protest mainly addressed parking concerns. Staff and leaders have heard business owner, patron, and resident concerns regarding the possible changes in parking. The project, as of the May 6 meeting, was only at 30% design, and parking will be closely looked at as the design process is completed.

“We will be contacting business owners throughout the remainder of this process, so we have your input into what we can possibly do design-wise,” states Mayor Jim Froelich. 

ADA requirements. Some of the proposed parking changes are expected to be necessary, as the City is required to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards for an improvement project. These requirements are mandatory despite any federal or state funding for a project. The main issue along the Fourth Ave NW portion of this project is the many different heights of entry points into businesses. 

Parking study. The Engineering Department met with business owners in the area a couple times since the Feb. 3 public input meeting on the project. A parking study was done in February and again in April at the request of the public. The results of the parking study show that even with changes to the number of spaces, the preliminary design will more than meet typical weekday and weekend parking needs.

For the safety of the community and pets, Mandan Code of Ordinances requires all dogs to be restrained at all times unless within the designated dog park. A dog is considered under restraint if it is:

• Secured by a leash no longer than six feet and held by someone capable of controlling the dog, or 

• Confined within the owner’s property by a fence or tether that prevents access to neighboring property, public walkways, or roads. (Sec. 6-2-2) 

Dogs running at-large are not allowed. Pet owners should immediately clean up after their animals in public areas.

For other ordinances related to pets, see Sec. 6-2 of the Mandan Code of Ordinances. To report concerns, visit cityofmandan.com/concern or contact the Mandan Police Department at 701-667-3250.

The City of Mandan Engineering Department is offering residents another opportunity to submit requests for repairs to their sidewalk or driveway aprons via the annual municipal concrete contract. The work will be done by the City’s contractor and the cost can be assessed to the parcel over a five-year assessment period.

If you are interested in having the City of Mandan’s sidewalk contractor do your concrete work in the street right-of-way, please fill out the form at cityofmandan.com/sidewalkproject by Aug. 1, 2025. These will be additional requests to those sought in 2025 for the bid, and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. The repairs will be completed yet this year.

Please contact the Engineering Department at 701-667-3225 or email engineering@cityofmandan.com with questions. 

The Mandan Community Beautification Committee is seeking a volunteer to fill an immediate opening for a term running through Dec. 31, 2026. The Community Beautification Committee helps formulate and coordinate programs, projects and policies that enhance the aesthetic appearance of the community. Meetings are the second Thursday of every other month at 7:30 a.m.

Residents or representatives of businesses that own property in the City of Mandan are encouraged to apply. The application is available at cityofmandan.com/boardapplication until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 8 or until the position is filled.

For membership lists and descriptions for City of Mandan volunteer advisory positions, visit cityofmandan.com/boards. Please contact Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt via e-mail or call 701-667-3478 with questions.

In May, over 200 volunteers cleaned up ditches along 19 different routes in the city of Mandan. The Community Beautification Committee, along with City staff and leaders would like to thank: 

• North Dakota GeoCaching Association
• AE2S & Deb Leingang
• Delphine Marshall, Sharon Johnson & Annette Kary
• Tim & Deb Hopfauf & friends
• P.E.O Chapter BF
• Dennis & Lorriane Friesz
• Sara Hertz & family
• ABRA Mandan
• Moore Engineering, Inc. 
• Justin Belohlavek family & friends
• Capital Credit Union
• Comfort Inn & Suites
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Bismarck 3rd Ward Primary
• Mandan Walmart
• James Gustafson & friends
• Cub Scout Pack 153
• North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives
• Hope City Church
• Centre Inc. 
• Martina Dvorak & friends
• Feil Orthodontics

Volunteers completing routes as part of Clean-Up Month were eligible for a host of door prizes provided by local businesses. 

Buggies-n-Blues, Mandan’s annual classic car show and music festival will be held June 6-8. Check out visitmandan.com for additional information on the event. 

Before heading over to Buggies-n-Blues on Sunday, June 8, be sure to stop by the Mandan Regional Airport Lawler Field for Planes & Pancakes. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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