City of Watford City seeks $6 million from county for 14th Avenue project
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
A crucial piece of Watford City’s long-term transportation plan was the focus of a funding request presented to the McKenzie County Commission on January 21, 2025. The city is seeking $6 million from the county to construct 14th Avenue Southeast from Main Street to 12th Street Southeast, a project officials say is vital for safety, emergency response times, and economic growth.
The proposed two-lane road, which will include a box culvert over Cherry Creek, utilizes an existing 8-inch water main installed in 2016. While Watford City would fund sidewalks, street lighting, and sanitary sewer, the city requested McKenzie County fund the road base. The total project cost is estimated at $7.8 million, with Watford City contributing approximately $1.8 million.
“The idea is that the city would request McKenzie County fund the road, the base road…and Watford City would fund the other items sidewalk street lighting and sanitary sewer,” explained a city representative during the meeting.
City officials emphasized the project’s regional benefits, arguing it “provides for critical regional infrastructure and economic growth in that region of the city.” They also highlighted the positive impact on emergency response times. “This corridor running a route analysis provides approximately a 20 percent reduction response time,” a presenter stated.
Commissioners raised concerns about the project’s prioritization compared to other city needs, such as sewer upgrades and green spaces. One commissioner questioned, “Why is this road that’s going to run through a quarter that doesn’t have anything through it currently…why this road right now?”
City representatives clarified that those other projects are already planned and funded. “Those projects are all on the slate to get completed,” a city official responded. “They’re within the current CIP…This project is the top of the list because we do need help to get it done…This completes that network. You guys have built the whole project. I mean, this is the last piece of that puzzle.”
The discussion also touched on potential flooding concerns. Presenters assured the Commission Board that a hydraulic analysis had been conducted, stating, “The impact is minimal…In the very large floods, it just runs over the road.”
Despite some initial skepticism, several commissioners expressed support for the project, stating that they could see the benefit in “closing this loop…alleviate traffic, make it a far more efficient corridor….[it is a concern that] we have to go clear around the whole town to get somewhere…That is a reason to want to make sure to participate in some shape or form.”
The commission also discussed the potential for commercial development along the new corridor, with city representatives mentioning conversations with various companies interested in locating near the bypass. “On this road, you will have access to curb cuts, and it’s going to have frontage next to the bypass so they can immediately get out onto the heavy traffic and get out of town,” a presenter explained. The discussion concluded with the understanding that the commission would further consider the funding request during the 2026 budget discussions.
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