Creating better vision and infrastructure of a major link between Bismarck and Mandan is the aim of new study under way.

The draft of the Memorial Highway Corridor Study is in its infancy stages, said Bob Shannon, project manager for Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson.

He urges people to give their input about improving the 2.3-mile road, known as the "Strip" between 5 and 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Prairie West Golf Club House. "We want to find out what the public has for issues," Shannon said. "Are they having problems out there that they see we should consider. Are there any ideas we should consider or what's their vision."

"It will make sure we can take care of the traffic needs in the future, but all with the amount of land in the area that's developed ..., we want to make sure we have some compatibility there in the future as this area develops."

He said the look of the roadway is up to what the community wants and to the landowners along the route. "It has to feed off what the public wants, what they demand and what they are willing to pay," Shannon said. "Our focus will be on the public space. We hope to inspire some private investment in those private spaces. If the road is reconstructed in the next decade, then we would do beautification in the public right of way. "

He said the study will address the poor access for anyone in a non-motor vehicle and those faced with disabilities. "There are no sidewalks. There is a trail system that starts out alongside the corridor on the east end and then moves away from the corridor," Shannon said. "It's difficult to reach the businesses from the trail system."

He said each business along the Strip will be contacted their input on the study.

Traffic counts for the study will start next week and drainage issues will be probed. Data collected may help in landing federal reconstruction dollars. "There is mention of an improvement project being needed on Memorial Highway, but it doesn't define what the improvement is in much detail," he said.

He said some of the aesthetics from a 2003 plan in Mandan have been implemented on Main Street, but not Memorial Highway. Some of its marketing aspects have been applied. "There's been a lot of development been occurring there in the last five years. Now, we want to look at what are those existing trends and ... how we want to steer those trends."

Shannon said while the Strip functions much as an extension of Main Street Mandan, it has its own own distinct development flavor. "We have to balance what the community wants and sees and what the business wants and sees," he said

Shannon said the study covers a large amount of developed and undeveloped land.

A draft report should be ready for the public in the summer of 2010. Throughout the process, at least four public hearings are planned. Its final adoption will come by late 2010.

A design workshop on Memorial Highway is planned for Jan. 20-21 at the Prairie West Golf Course. Shannon describes the meeting as a brainstorming session between architects, landscape people and the public for ideas for traffic, drainage and development.

The study is being paid for by federal transportation money drawn from a gas tax and used by the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Reach reporter LeAnn Eckroth at 250-8264 or leann.eckroth@bismarcktribune.com