Central ND News

Mandan’s application for a $25 million BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant was not approved, according to city officials. The federal program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $1.5 billion annually between 2022 and 2026 and is highly competitive on a national scale.

Following the announcement, Mandan Engineering staff requested a meeting with officials to discuss how to strengthen future applications. In response to the setback, city staff are considering dividing the street improvement project for Mandan Proper into phases, with work potentially beginning in the northwest section in 2027.

Mandan Proper, an area stretching from Second St NW up to Division St NW between Sixth Ave NW and Collins Ave, has been identified as needing significant upgrades. A 2024 pavement condition report found that about 93% of roughly six miles of road in this area require full reconstruction. The project also involves replacing approximately 15,000 feet of cast iron watermain.

Additional plans include establishing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant routes, improving transit access, and implementing complete streets designs. Street reconstruction will also restore curb and gutter sections to improve drainage and reduce ponding.

The overall project is expected to be split into four phases over several years due to its size and complexity. City officials noted that it remains early in the planning process and that future BUILD grant applications may help fund parts of the project.

In August, the City Commission approved a flex fund application for another project in northwest Mandan Proper. This initiative would extend east of Sunset Drive/Sixth Ave NW and south of Division St NW. The Engineering Department has applied for $3.5 million through the North Dakota Department of Transportation flex fund; if successful, construction could begin as soon as 2027.

For more details on previous efforts related to this grant application, see the article "Commission Approves BUILD Grant Application" from February 27, 2025.