Warm weather helps construction season wrap up

(WDAY TV) - The unusual warm weather is helping road crews wrap up work before winter. This after the flood and wet fall forced projects to be delayed several weeks.

Minor work like signing, striping, and lighting still needs to be done before roads open again. Crews have poured a lot of concrete this month and plan to as long as the weather cooperates.

Concrete takes about five days to settle without freezing. It's the first time in recent memory construction work has be done this late in the season.

“We started a month late and with the flood and you push into the summer months, then October was wet, we've never had to get a lot of concrete work done so you know maybe there is other Novembers that maybe I just don't remember because we were done.”

Drivers continue to be plagued by detours and cones throughout much of Moorhead. Does that mean driving during winter storms will be that much more difficult?

There are seven major projects still going on in Moorhead. Four are flood related. The rest, road related like here along 20th Street south. So what should we expect when snow starts falling?

We've almost become used to all the orange. After all, we are eight months into road construction season.

“There are always construction projects pushing the last minute.”

With work still left, steps are being taken to re-open closed roads before it freezes. Temporary paving efforts are underway.

“We certainly didn't want to have that continue throughout the winter.”

Crews have significantly caught up on work the last week. Still, half of some projects are delayed until spring. 20th Street remains a concern.

“The real bind is that the contractor has to do everything in their power to get the roadway open to traffic.”

“For the most part, it will wind down pretty quick now.”

City leaders call this year's road work very disruptive, but say they are confident drivers shouldn't see too many more disruptions in the coming months.

“There will continue to be some temporary measures that will remain out there at 34th Street and southeast of Main.”

In those areas, drivers are advised to slow down and take their time getting through the cone zones. The concern is of course ice and snow leading to crashes.