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BEMIDJI 鈥� A traffic study done in partnership between Sanford Health and the city of Bemidji has recommended the extension of 34th Street Northwest to intersect with Hannah Avenue Northwest, with the Bemidji City Council considering the possibility favorably.

The results of the study were heard during the council鈥檚 work session on Monday, with the councilors discussing whether to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Sanford Health for the project.

The study, which was agreed to in 2022 with a 50/50 cost split between Sanford Health and the city, outlined the potential traffic impacts on the Sanford Health campus if the organization鈥檚 plans for future development are pursued.

These include an initial phase in two to five years that would further develop the campus on the east side of Pine Ridge Avenue Northwest. A second phase, estimated to be 10 to 15 years down the line, would expand the campus across that road.

鈥淲e really just want to make it a place our employees and our patients want to come, and to help with economic growth,鈥� explained Karla Eischens, the president and CEO of Sanford Bemidji.

To accommodate this development, and an estimated 0.5% increase in traffic each year, the study recommended an extension of 34th Street so that it would intersect with Hannah Avenue.

Sanford Health has offered to cover the cost of the street extension itself, with the city covering the expense of extending public infrastructure and utilities.

The total cost for the project is estimated to be $1,150,000, with the street construction making up $500,000 of that number. The project could begin as early as the 2024 construction season.

鈥淲hen I look at the proposed funding for this project, how it鈥檚 broken down, I think it鈥檚 appropriate,鈥� shared Mayor Jorge Prince. 鈥淪anford Health is going to benefit greatly from this street, and they鈥檙e proposing to pay for the street.鈥�

Other members of the council were also supportive of the project and pursuing an MOU with Sanford Health.

鈥淚 think quite a bit of Sanford for stepping forward to help out with this,鈥� said Ward 5 Councilor Lynn Eaton. 鈥淚t would really help (traffic) circulation at Sanford Health.鈥�

The study also looked further in the future into what the area might need if the second phase of development is completed.

This might involve Pine Ridge Avenue going to Sanford Health and losing its status as a city street. If this happens, City Engineer Sam Anderson explained what other projects might need to be considered to reduce traffic pressure and create alternative routes to Anne Street Northwest. One of those suggestions was extending Ridgeway Avenue Northwest north to Anne Street.

While additional projects related to Sanford Health's second phase of development would be several years away, the council did agree to consider the initial proposal of extending 34th Street to Hannah Avenue. The MOU is expected to come before the council for approval in February.

鈥淲e鈥檝e worked really well with Sam, and we鈥檙e looking forward to working with the city,鈥� said Eischens.