Area residents had a chance last Thursday to learn about proposed improvements to N.D. Highway 3 and Rugby’s storm sewer system last week.

Representatives from the Stanley-based Brosz Engineering spoke in a presentation last Thursday at the Rugby Armory following an open house in which proposed improvements were shown.

Zachary Gaaskjolen, of Brosz Engineering, explained that the project-which is estimated to cost between $2.8 to $3.3 million-would be split into two projects.

The first project would consist of installing a right turn lane where Highway 3 intersects with 66th St NE.

The second project would be the larger of the two and would include replacing the city’s storm sewer along Highway 3 between 6th St SW and 1st St NW; reconstructing 4th Ave SW (Highway 3) from 4th St SW to 1st St NW; and reconstructing the 1st St NW/Highway 3 intersection.

Gaaskjolen explained that the current storm sewer system begins at inlets beneath the underpass and ends near the drainage at 6th St SW, and is undersized-the system cannot handle a 2-year storm event. The proposed system would begin at the 1st St NW/4th Ave NW intersection and would end at the 6th St drainage and would be sized to handle a 25-year storm event.

Gaaskjolen explained there were two routes being considered as detour routes: one was from 28th Ave NE to 66th St NE, and the other from 30th Ave NE to 1st St NE. Gaaskjolen said Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad prefers the eastern route (30th Ave NE to 1st St NE) and that there are two railroad crossings on the west route.

Area resident Ken Schaan said the west route makes more sense, because at times the crossing on the road that passes the golf course is blocked when trains go through it.

Rugby resident Deb Zwingel said another thing to consider about the east route is its proximity to the city’s walking path.

Area resident and District 1 County Commissioner Mike Brossart asked if damage to roads would be taken care of. Donovan Breen, of Brosz Engineering, said a pre-haul and post-haul inspection would be done.