The North Dakota Department of Transportation has awarded more than $150 million in construction bids to continue the long-term expansion of Highway 85 south of Watford City, advancing a major infrastructure project through some of the state’s most challenging terrain.
According to NDDOT officials, the funding will support multiple segments of roadway improvements designed to enhance safety, capacity and reliability along a heavily traveled corridor that serves energy, agricultural and regional traffic.
The largest portion of the awards — more than $83.8 million — was awarded to Park Construction of Minneapolis. That segment covers approximately five and a half miles south of the Long X Bridge and extends through rugged Badlands terrain. Due to the complexity of the landscape, the project is expected to take three years to complete.
A second major segment will extend roughly 12 and a half miles south, connecting the Badlands area to the Highway 200 intersection. The $61.7 million contract for that work was awarded to Strata of Grand Forks and is scheduled as a two-year construction project.
State transportation officials noted that the Highway 85 expansion remains a priority as traffic volumes continue to increase in western North Dakota. The project is intended to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and enhance long-term durability of the roadway.
Funding for the Highway 85 work is being provided through a combination of state and federal transportation dollars, underscoring the corridor’s regional and national significance.
Construction timelines will vary by segment, with work expected to proceed in phases to minimize disruptions while crews navigate weather conditions and terrain challenges.
Originally reported by Michael Antony in KFYR TV.
