Kim Fundingsland/MDN Excavation to supply clay to be used for diking currently underway in Burlington is happening on the north side of County Road 10, approximately three miles west of U.S. Highway 83.

Motorists traveling on County Road 10, about three miles west of its junction with U.S. Highway 83 north of Minot, may be surprised to see extensive dirt work in progress on the north side of the roadway just before it begins its descent into the Souris River valley above Burlington. The activity is part of the on-going Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project.

“It’s a borrow pit. They are removing topsoil and taking the desirable materials for the Burlington levee,” said Dusty Zimmerman, Ackerman-Estvold of Minot.

The desirable material, primarily clay, is positioned to be trucked to construction underway nearby in Burlington. Cherry Street in that community was closed to the public last week to allow for construction crews and equipment to work on Phase BU-1B of the flood control project. Cherry Street is expected to remain closed until late December.

Work being done in Burlington includes removal of Cherry Street and moving it slightly to the west. The space obtained by the shifting of the street makes room for a new earthen levee. The roadway rebuild is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The levee project is much more extensive and will take much more time to complete. The expected project completion date is September 2021.

“That entire phase takes about two years,” said Zimmerman. “From the start at Cherry Street and all the way around the city.”

The Colton Avenue bridge was replaced with a new structure prior to work now underway. The current levee project includes drainage improvements, utility relocations and a new pump station.