State moving forward with four-laning of 85
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is moving ahead with its plans to four-lane U.S. Highway 85 from south of Watford City to the Long X Bridge.
According to Cal Klewin, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association executive director, the NDDOT has begun its right-of-way acquisition and expects that process to be completed this summer.
“Once the necessary right-of-way is acquired, the NDDOT will move forward with relocating utilities that are in the way,” stated Klewin. “Many times, utilities are located on the back side of right-of-way, which is why the NDDOT is waiting on the movement of utilities.”
“The NDDOT has been spending money for the past year and a half on the project,” stated Dale Patten, District 26 Senator. “Four-laning of U.S. Highway 85 is a critical part of our infrastructure and will make our roads in western North Dakota safer.”
Patten says that the NDDOT is estimating the cost of four-laning that 10.3-mile stretch of the highway at $78.8 million with funding coming from federal funds included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).