North Dakota Celebrates 20 Years of Transportation Technician Training, Expands Road Project Funding Opportunities

NDDOT marks two decades of workforce training while opening applications to support highway improvements.

Oct. 8, 2025

3 min read

A roadway with a sharp left turn sign through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in southwest North Dakota. — A roadway through Theodore Roosevelt National Park in southwest North Dakota.

Key Takeaways:

· The NDDOT Transportation Technician Training Academy has trained over 1,200 road and bridge maintenance professionals with more than 62,000 hours of hands-on instruction.
· The program’s partnership with the North Dakota National Guard provides real-world roadway repair experience and promotes safety and teamwork among new transportation technicians.
· NDDOT’s Special Road Fund is now accepting applications for 2026–2027 projects, offering up to $500,000 per project with an 80% state funding contribution.
· The fund targets roadway improvements in recreational, tourism, and historical areas, supporting local and tribal governments across North Dakota.

N.D. Transportation Technician Training Program Marks 20 Years of Building Skilled Road Crews

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) recently celebrated 20 years of its transportation technician training academy, a key program that strengthens the state’s road maintenance and bridge construction workforce.

Hosted at Camp Grafton, the Fall Transportation Technician Training Academy provides combines hands-on and classroom experience in machinery operations, maintenance practices and efficiency techniques to prepare new team members for real-world roadway projects.

Led by experienced NDDOT members, the academy has trained 1,248 transportation technicians statewide, totaling over 62,000 instructional hours, according to NDDOT. The program also extends to Tribal Nations, expanding its impact on workforce development across the region.

Seasoned department members emphasize best practices, safety protocol and teamwork ensuring consistency in infrastructure maintenance operations throughout the state, according to Central ND News.

Last year, the academy received national recognition, earning the President’s Award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) for excellence in transportation workforce training.

The training program’s partnership with the North Dakota National Guard, which operates Camp Grafton, allows trainees to gain hands-on experience repairing the camp’s roads creating a safe and secure training environment for the National Guard.

The National Guard was honored with a token of appreciation during the anniversary celebration for its continued collaboration.

Looking forward, NDDOT plans to continue safety and maintenance training initiatives to ensure North Dakota’s transportation infrastructure remains durable and efficient well into the future.

Sources: North Dakota Department of Transportation, Central ND News, KX News

N.D. DOT Opens Applications for Special Road Fund to Support Infrastructure Improvements

The North Dakota Department of Transportation is now accepting applications for its Special Road Fund program, which provides financial assistance for roadway improvement projects statewide.

The fund supports highway and local road projects that improve access to recreational, tourism, and historical sites, helping smaller communities and Tribal Nations maintain safe, reliable transportation networks.

This year’s funding increase allows for up to 80% cost coverage per project, capped at $500,000, according to NDDOT. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions, tribal governments, and state agencies.

Applications for projects planned for 2026 and 2027 are due by Nov. 30, with the Special Road Fund Advisory Committee scheduled to review and select projects in early 2026.

For application details, visit NDDOT’s Special Road Fund Program webpage.

Sources: North Dakota Department of Transportation, Central ND News