Central ND News

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is set to provide $20 million in state funding to accelerate the completion of a railroad underpass project near the University of North Dakota campus. This announcement was made by Governor Kelly Armstrong during a meeting with Grand Forks officials in Bismarck.

The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety by constructing an underpass at the railroad crossing on 42nd Street, which will include a 10-foot-wide shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians.

In July 2023, officials announced a $30 million federal grant for the project through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. However, construction estimates exceeded the initial $60 million projection. To avoid delays, Armstrong has authorized NDDOT to utilize its Flexible Transportation Fund Program (Flex Fund) to ensure timely commencement and full funding of the project.

“Those of us who have lived in Grand Forks and attended UND are all too familiar with the traffic delays and collisions that occur at the railroad crossing on the west end of campus. Using our Flex Fund to expedite this project will improve public safety and save valuable time and resources for taxpayers and students,” Armstrong stated.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated by 2028.

The Flex Fund was established in 2023 as a complement to the Federal Aid Highway program, aimed at supporting an interconnected transportation system in North Dakota. It allows state funds to be used for enhancing transportation infrastructure both on and off the state highway system, matching local funds and federal discretionary grants for quicker project completions.