Portion of 71st Ave. NE closed in Burleigh County for construction
A line of orange barrels and fresh scrape marks on the asphalt greeted drivers along 71st Ave. NE early this week. Burleigh County has closed the stretch between Centennial Road and Aleutian Drive for road work now underway, according to the Burleigh County Highway Department.
71st Ave. NE closure: what you need to know
The county says crews are completing asphalt milling, installing a cement-treated base, and finishing with a new overlay on this section of 71st Ave. NE, per the highway department's project notice. The goal is to shore up the road surface and extend its life in a high-use corridor on Bismarck’s northeast side.
Work began this week with a target to reopen the roadway by September 18, weather permitting, according to the highway department. Timelines can shift if rain or colder temps slow paving, so plan for some flexibility.
- Where: 71st Ave. NE between Centennial Rd. and Aleutian Dr. — closed to through traffic (per Burleigh County Highway Department)
- When: Ongoing now; county is aiming to reopen by Sept. 18, weather permitting (per the county)
- What’s happening: Asphalt milling, cement-treated base, and an asphalt overlay (per the county)
The detour details
A signed detour is posted around the closure to guide drivers, according to the county’s announcement. Expect slower speeds near the work zone, flaggers at times, and lane shifts as crews move equipment.
Give yourself extra travel time if you normally cut across 71st Ave. NE between Centennial and Aleutian. If you live or run a business within the closed segment, check ahead with the Burleigh County Highway Department for the latest on local access while crews are on your block.
Community impact
If your daily route connects neighborhoods east of Centennial Road to points west, you’ll feel this one. The closure pushes more traffic onto parallel routes and the signed detour, which can back up during the morning and late-afternoon rush.
Parents and caregivers using this corridor for school drop-off or pickup should watch for updated bus or traffic advisories and leave a little earlier than usual. Delivery drivers and service providers may adjust schedules while the project is active; consider noting any special instructions for contractors coming to your home this week.
Voices from the scene
County engineers say the combination of milling, a cement-treated base, and a fresh overlay is intended to improve ride quality and protect the sub-surface so the road holds up longer under local traffic loads, according to the highway department. The approach is common on arterials that see steady commuter and service traffic.
On social channels and neighborhood boards, the most common questions have been about timing and driveway access. The county directs residents to follow the posted detour and to watch for on-site guidance from crews if they need to reach a property within the work zone, per its update.
Planning ahead
Follow the signed detour, slow down near crews, and avoid last-second turns around barricades. If you’re heading to an appointment on the north side this week, build in extra minutes and confirm directions with your destination in case their recommended route has changed.
For updates on reopening and day-to-day traffic control, check the Burleigh County Highway Department before you head out. Broader travel impacts and regional detours are also reflected on the North Dakota DOT Travel Information Map at travel.dot.nd.gov.
What to Watch
If weather cooperates, the county aims to reopen 71st Ave. NE between Centennial Rd. and Aleutian Dr. by September 18, according to the highway department. Watch for an update from the county as paving wraps up; extended rain or cold snaps could push that target later.
