ROAD CONSTRUCTION: First leg of U.S. 85 project in N.D. now open

The widening is coming along nicely.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) cut the ribbon on the first phase of the U.S. 85 road-widening project. The job consists of three phases in order to convert a two-lane highway into a four-lane divided highway with a median. It took just a year to pave the opening 14 miles of the project, located west of Watford City to south of Alexander. The Lewis and Clark Bridge over the Missouri River also will be replaced.

“Significant progress has been made on transportation projects throughout North Dakota,” North Dakota Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley said.

“With over 12,000 vehicles a day traveling on this section of road, this expansion will greatly enhance the movement of traffic in the area,” NDDOT Director Grant Levi said.

The 2013-14 construction seasons feature the largest road construction programs in North Dakota history.