For 50 years, the city of Bismarck has battled to reconstruct a four-block section of Washington Street, hoping to improve the traffic flow that bottlenecks at a four-way stop at Washington and Avenue C.

This year will mark the end to that battle ,with reconstruction planned for this summer, turning the two-lane section into a two plus center turn lane with signal lights replacing the four-way stop.

Many other amenities will be included that are intended to preserve the historic corridor, update utilities and improve safety.

On March 1, the city, along with engineers Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson Inc. and Des Moines, Iowa's, RDG Planning and Design, will hold an open house from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the former Hughes Junior High gym.

"There's no presentation planned," KLJ's Bob Shannon said. "We'll have design plans on the walls so people can see what street improvements are planned. This will allow for public comment and any last minute tweaking if necessary. We're letting the public know what to expect when construction starts this summer."

The city of Bismarck has used a process unique to the community in involving the public in the project, particularly the residents who live in Bismarck's only historically designated neighborhood, the Cathedral District. Several public meetings have been held at the school, and residents of the area have gotten involved in the design, working side-by-side with architects and engineers.

The city is in the process of wrapping up design of replacement of water and sewer lines under the street, while KLJ and RDG have worked on the special amenities that will include:

3 Special monuments-piers, to which will designate the historic district.

3 Period lighting and signals to capture the historic significance of the area.

3 Colored and textured concrete for the center lane and crosswalks.

3 Removing most of the loading zone in front of Hughes to give the impression that the street narrows and to help drivers to slow down.

3 ADA accessible wheelchair ramps at the intersections.

3 A yellow flashing beacon at Avenue B to indicate a school crossing.

The signal and center turn lane are expected to improve the flow of traffic through the corridor, which sees between 13,500 and 14,000 cars daily.

The whole reason why this project is an apparent success as compared to past efforts to improve the corridor is because of the public input, Shannon said.

"The neighborhood and rest of the city's residents have been willing to see what we can do and work with the city in developing the project," Shannon said.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarck-tribune.com.)