FARGO — City officials are expanding a study to rebuild a two-mile stretch of 64th Avenue South and to build a new overpass spanning Interstate 29.

Traffic planners are considering three options for expanding the 64th Avenue corridor on the city's southern edge, with estimated costs ranging from $25 million to $26.4 million, depending on whether a bicycle path is included.

The project, scheduled to be bid in February of 2020, would rebuild 64th Avenue in two phases from 25th Street to 45th Street, said Jeremy Gorden, city traffic division engineer.

KLJ has done early engineering and design work, and the Fargo City Commission voted to expand the current contract after a discussion that explored whether a new request for proposals should be issued for the project.

Commissioner John Strand asked how expanding the contract would affect other bidders who submitted proposals several years ago for the project.

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"That's a dilemma," Gorder said. Similar expansions have occurred in the past, however, he said.

"Even if we were to go with a different firm the costs would be pretty comparable," Gorder said. "This is a big plan set. A lot of moving parts. It's a lot of money, but in line with other projects."

Mayor Tim Mahoney supported enlarging the current contract with KLJ. "At this point KLJ has institutional knowledge," he said.

The contract was increased by $1.4 million. Because $585,000 already has been spent, the total contract cost is now $1.9 million.

Commissioner Tony Grindberg said consideration should be given to future development in the area before solidifying plans for 64th Avenue. He wondered what an interchange with I-29 would add to the cost.

"Seems to me there will be need some day," Grindberg said. It might be more expensive if the city has to "revisit" the project after it's built. "We should have that at least as part of the discussion."

Engineers can look at the potential of I-29 access, Gorder said.

Construction is expected to start in October 2020 and wrap up in 2021. The project qualifies for federal funding.