The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has allocated $55 million for the expansion of US Highway 85, also known as the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, in western North Dakota. This funding will facilitate the transformation of over 13 miles of the roadway in McKenzie County from two lanes to four lanes, including widening shoulders and reducing curves from Watford City to I-94. North Dakota’s delegation, earlier this year, advocated for the project’s advantages in enhancing transportation efficiency and safety to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, resulting in the funding under the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) program. The expansion addresses the vital role of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway in connecting the region’s energy and agricultural sectors, ultimately reducing traffic delays, enhancing safety, and promoting economic growth. U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer have emphasized the significance of this project for western North Dakota’s access to interstate commerce. Read more on this expansion project and award here.
