The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) will allocate $20 million in state funding to accelerate the completion of a long-planned railroad underpass near the University of North Dakota (UND) campus, Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced today during a meeting with Grand Forks officials.
The project aims to improve traffic flow and safety by constructing an underpass at the railroad crossing on 42nd Street. It will also feature a 10-foot-wide shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.
In July 2023, officials visited UND to announce a $30 million federal grant for the project through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. However, construction estimates surpassed the initial $60 million projection. To prevent delays, Armstrong authorized NDDOT to use its Flexible Transportation Fund Program (Flex Fund) to fully finance the project and keep it on schedule.
“Those of us who have lived in Grand Forks and attended UND are all too familiar with the traffic delays and collisions at this railroad crossing,” Armstrong said. “Using our Flex Fund to expedite this project will improve public safety and save valuable time and resources for taxpayers and students.”
Construction is set to begin in 2026, with completion expected by 2028.
Established in 2023, the Flex Fund was designed to complement the Federal Aid Highway Program and enhance North Dakota’s transportation infrastructure. It allows state funds to be used for both state and local projects, as well as to match federal grants, ensuring timely project completion.
By: DNU staff