Theodore Roosevelt Expressway

05/19/2026 Theodore Roosevelt Expressway 18 miles of New Four Lane

Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Expansion Continues with Nearly 18 Miles of New Four-Lane Construction Major progress is underway on the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway as construction crews begin work on another significant expansion of four-lane U.S. Highway 85 in western North Dakota. Two major projects totaling more than $145 million are now under construction between the Long X Bridge area and the junction of U.S. 85 and North Dakota Highway 200. Combined, the projects will add nearly 18 miles of new four-lane divided highway and represent one of the largest active construction efforts currently advancing the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway corridor. The North Dakota Department of Transportation recently awarded: • A $61.7 million contract to Strata Corporation for a 12.5-mile segment extending south from Mile Point 120.3 to ND Highway 200; and • An $83.8 million contract to Park Construction Company for the 5.5-mile segment running north through the Little Missouri Breaks to the Long X Bridge. Together, the projects continue extending four-lane infrastructure south from Watford City while reinforcing the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway’s long-term role as a vital transportation corridor supporting freight movement, energy development, agriculture, tourism, and national defense. Construction Activity Now Visible Construction activity is becoming increasingly visible throughout McKenzie County as grading work begins and contractors mobilize equipment and support infrastructure. The McKenzie County Commission recently approved a temporary asphalt batch plant and onsite fuel facility to support paving operations on the southern 12.5-mile segment. At the same time, heavy grading operations are already underway on the northern 5.5-mile section through the rugged Little Missouri Breaks terrain, where contractors are expected to move more than three million cubic yards of material. The work signals a major transition for the corridor—from long-term planning and advocacy to active construction and visible progress on the ground. Why the Expansion Matters The latest investment marks another important milestone in North Dakota’s continued commitment to modernizing U.S. Highway 85 into a safer and more efficient four-lane divided highway. Once completed, the projects will: • Improve safety along one of North Dakota’s busiest truck corridors; • Strengthen freight connectivity supporting Bakken energy production, agriculture, and regional commerce; • Enhance year-round travel reliability through the Badlands region; and • Continue building momentum and federal support for the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway’s future Interstate designation. The 12.5-mile southern segment is expected to be completed in 2027, while the Little Missouri Breaks project is anticipated to take approximately three construction seasons. Building the Future Interstate Vision Each new mile of four-lane highway represents meaningful progress toward completing the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway corridor. With construction now advancing farther south, North Dakota continues demonstrating how sustained infrastructure investment can steadily transform the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway from a long-term vision into a modern transportation reality—creating the foundation for a future Interstate connection stretching from the Canadian border to the central United States. The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway is continuing to move forward — mile by mile.

04/24/2026 Bringing Energy to the Economy

The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association (TRE) plays a central role in advancing state policy priorities for the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway across North Dakota, working in close coordination with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and regional stakeholders. The Association’s efforts focus on upgrading U.S. Highway 85 into a four-lane divided corridor to improve safety, freight mobility, and energy sector access, particularly in western North Dakota’s Bakken region. TRE advocates for sustained state investment through North Dakota’s legislative appropriations and long-range transportation planning, while also aligning projects with federal funding opportunities such as INFRA and RAISE grants. Key policy priorities include advancing environmental clearances, supporting construction of remaining two-lane segments, enhancing system resilience in challenging terrain like the Badlands, and ensuring the corridor meets future Interstate standards.

03/02/2026 Congressional Meetings

The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway along with Delegations from the Congressionally Authorized Federal Interstate (CAFI) coalition Visited with Congressional Members the first week of February.

11/25/2025 US 85 Bid openings 4 lanes

Two Projects on U.S. 85 in North Dakota Have Successful Bid Openings The projects, funded by a mix of state and federal dollars under North Dakota Senate Bill 2012, total $155 million and span 19.5 miles south of the Long X Bridge to the junction with Highway 200 were bid in November. The first segment bid, from reference post 120.3 to the Long X Bridge in McKenzie County, was opened on November 7, 2025, and the second, from Highway 200 north to RP120.3 about eight miles north of Grassy Butte, was opened on November 7, 2025. November 7, 2025 - US 85 Expansion - RP 120.3 North to the Long X Bridge A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) / Record of Decision (ROD) was completed in February 2019 for this corridor. The scope of the project includes widening the highway to a four-lane divided facility, including reconstruction/upgrade of corridor, and addressing erosion/geotechnical concerns. The state of North Dakota allocated US $100 million in state funds for the segment. The Engineer estimates ranged from $90-100 million. NDDOT received 5 bids ranging between $83.8 million and $102 million. The apparent low bid of $83.8 million was from Park Construction Company headquartered out of Minneapolis, MN. Construction is anticipated to be bid in the fall of 2025 and take place over two construction seasons in 2026 and 2027. November 21, 2025 - US-85 Expansion - RP 120.3 to ND 200 A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) / Record of Decision (ROD) was completed in February 2019 for this corridor. The RP 120.3 to ND 200 US-85 project reconstructs approximately 12 miles of highway into a four-lane divided corridor, including intersection upgrades, drainage improvements, new pavement structure, shoulder widening, access management, safety enhancements, environmental mitigation, utility relocation, and full traffic control. The state of North Dakota allocated US $55 million in state funds to match $55 million of federal funding through the Rural Surface Transportation Grant for the segment. The Engineer estimates was $93.7 million. Construction is anticipated to be bid in the fall of 2025 and take place over two construction seasons in 2026 and 2027.

06/23/2025 Quarterly Report for June 2025

TRE Quarterly Report for June 2025

05/09/2025 Legislative Update/ Mark your Calenders

Department of Transportation Appropriations SB 2012 provides $2.72 billion in special and federal funds to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the 2025–2027 biennium, supporting salaries, operations, capital assets, and infrastructure grants. The bill establishes a Legacy Earnings Fund, funded by a portion of the Legacy Fund earnings, with allocations to debt service, the Highway Fund, and property tax relief. It overhauls the Flexible Transportation Fund and revises oil and gas tax distributions to prioritize infrastructure investments in non-oil-producing counties, including the creation of separate municipal and county/township infrastructure funds ($40 million). The bill also includes one-time funding for major highway projects ($287 million), facility improvements ($5.97 million), equipment upgrades ($5.8 million), and a passenger rail planning grant ($150,000). Additional provisions authorize the completion of the U.S. Highway 85 four-lane project. The funding for Hwy 85 is $155 million from SIIF. $55 million is dedicated to match the federal grant of $55 million for the 13 mile stretch from the top of the breaks to the intersection of highway 200 to Killdeer. The other $100 million is to complete the 6.5 mile stretch from the Long X Bridge to the top of the breaks. NDDOT is planning to bid the projects this fall or early next year to start construction in 2026 and continuing into 2027 for completion. The Bill also has language to start the NEPA (environmental) from I-94 at Belfield to the South Dakota Border, once the project nears completion from Highway 200 to I-94. This is a huge step forward, Thanks to the 2025 Legislative Session!!! Mark your Calendars The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will host public information meetings Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and Thursday May 29, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. Mountain Time to discuss proposed improvements to US 85 from the I-94 junction to the ND 200 junction. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 28, at the Fairfield Fire Hall, 12823 20th Street SW, in Fairfield. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, May 29 at the Belfield Memorial Hall, 107 2nd Avenue NE, in Belfield. Both meetings will be an open house format with a formal presentation at 5:30 pm Mountain Time. The project consists of widening US 85 from two lanes to four lanes. Representatives from the NDDOT and Apex Engineering Group will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns. Information is also available on the project page website at US 85 Expansion (I-94 to Watford City Bypass) | NDDOT The NDDOT will consider every request for reasonable accommodation to provide an accessible meeting facility or other accommodation for people with disabilities. Language interpretation and translation services will be available upon request for this meeting. To request accommodations, contact Heather Christianson, Civil Rights Division, NDDOT, at 701-328-2978 or civilrights@nd.gov. TTY users may use Relay North Dakota at 711 or 1-800-366-6888. SECTION 19.

04/16/2025 Great to be joined by Senator Ted Cruz to celebrate the expansion of the I-27 Ports-to-Plains

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03/20/2025 North Dakota Approves NDDOT Budget

The North Dakota Legislature is now in session and the bills have moved to the House and Senate Chambers after Crossover. The Transportation Bill 2012 is now over on the House side and the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway had good success with the Senate. State Senate Approves NDDOT Budget including Funds for Hwy 85 Members of the ND Senate Appropriations Committee voted unanimously on February 21, 2025 to approve SB 2012, the biennial budget of the ND Department of Transportation, which includes a $100 million line item to pay for four-laning a six-mile section of Highway 85 south of the Long X Bridge the Bill also provided matching funds for the 55M grant for the Piece from Highway 200 to the Six Mile Long X section. The bill was then approved unanimously on the full ND Senate on February 24, 2025. The bill also directs NDDOT to prepare an environmental impact statement for the portion of Highway 85 from I-94 to the South Dakota border, and a section of Highway 2 between Williston and the Montana state line. The bill will now move to consideration by the ND House of Representatives. Below is the status report for the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway prepared by the Ports to Plains Alliance (Joe Kiely) South Dakota • Four-lane Divided Highway from Nebraska Stateline to I-90 at Rapid City • Interstate Highway (I-90) from Rapid City to Spearfish • Four-lane Divided Highway on US 85 from Spearfish to north of Belle Fourche • Two-Lane north of Belle Fourche to the North Dakota Stateline North Dakota • Replaced the Lewis & Clark Bridge over the Missouri River near Williston • Replaced the Long X Bridge over the Little Missouri River • Completed an Environmental Impact Statement and received a Record of Decision to clear the National Environmental Policy Act requires on U.S. 85 from Williston south to I-94 (Belfield) • Replaced the Long X Bridge with four-lane replacement over the Little Missouri River • Completed Four-lane Divided Highway from Willison to Long X Bridge • Stabilized the Horseshoe Bend landslide near the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. • Completed Reliever Route at Willison, Alexander and Watford City • Started the survey, project development, utility engineering, permitting, and preliminary right of way planning for the segment between ND Highway 200 and Long X Bridge. • Received a $55 million discretionary grant from Federal Highway Administration for the construction of the four-lane facility between ND Highway 200 and reference point 120 (beginning of the badlands). Anticipated bid date in the Fall of 2025. • Started the survey, project development, utility engineering, permitting, and preliminary right of way planning for the segment between 1-94 and ND Highway 200. Montana • Montana STIP 2024-2028 o BAINVILLE - EAST (PE II) (see Regionally Significant Project ? This Reconstruction project (6388001) is in design and construction is anticipated in Calendar Year TBD. The estimated cost for construction is $44,000,000. ? This project will add two additional lanes to US 2 between Bainville and the ND state line. The roadway will generally be a divided four-lane with limited areas of undivided where constraints prevent construction of a divided roadway. The existing bridge over Shotgun Creek near Bainville will be widened to accommodate the additional lanes. New bridges adjacent to the existing bridges will be constructed at the other two bridge locations to accommodate the additional lanes. Left turn lanes will be constructed at all public road approaches and median crossovers will be built at all private and field approach locations. Cal Klewin Executive Director Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association

10/28/2024 Highway 85 project completed : Watford City to Long X

Read more on Highway 85 project completed between Watford City and Long X at KFYR TV.

10/25/2024 US 85 Ribbion Cutting

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