Flex Fund Kickoff webinars will be held July 22nd at 10 a.m. and July 31st at 5 p.m. Central Time.
Flex Fund Mission
The mission of the Flexible Transportation Fund is to invest in North Dakota’s existing infrastructure by funding projects that reduce long-term maintenance and operations costs and improve the connectivity, efficiency, and safety of our transportation network.
Flex Fund History
The Flexible Transportation Fund (Flex Fund) was established by the 68th Legislative Assembly to complement the Federal Aid Highway program and further support an interconnected transportation system in our great state. After the success of the first round, the 69th Legislative Assembly expanded the program with additional funding and designating programs within the fund.
Flex Fund Programs
All programs are reimbursement programs. For questions see guidance document and FAQ below or contact flexfund@nd.gov.
Grants for Non-Oil Townships:
This program is open to non-oil townships for transportation related projects. Townships located in non-oil producing counties (see map in resources below) are eligible to apply. Townships must work with their respective county to apply. Priority will be given to organized townships that levy at least 18 mills and have less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in their general fund as of December 31st, 2025. Priority for unorganized townships will be given to counties that levy at least 18 mills for township road and bridge work. Priority will be given to projects that improve local corridors. This program advances the mission of efficiently moving people and goods and improving the safety, connectivity, and longevity of the existing transportation network.
Applications Due September 19, 2025
Grants for Non-Oil Counties and Cities:
This program is open to non-oil counties and cities for transportation related projects. Non-oil producing counties (see map in resources below), and cities in non-oil counties (see map in resources below) are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to projects that match federal or private funding, improve local corridors, and received preliminary engineering funding in the previous Flex Fund round. This program advances the mission of reducing maintenance and operation costs, efficiently moving people and goods, improving safety, connectivity, and longevity of the existing transportation network.
Applications Due September 19, 2025
Grants for Bridges
This program is open to counties for the repair, replacement, or removal of bridges. All counties are eligible for the program. The NDDOT will reach out to each county to score their priorities for rehabilitation or reconstruction and bridge removal. This program advances the mission of reducing maintenance and operation costs, efficiently moving people and goods, improving safety, connectivity, and longevity of the existing transportation network.
Prairie Dog as Grants
The first $40 million in the Municipal Infrastructure Fund and first $40 million in the County and Township Infrastructure Fund will be distributed by the State Treasurer. Any additional moneys deposited in the funds are available to NDDOT, for the purpose of providing grants to cities, non-oil counties, and non-oil townships for roads and bridges.
NDDOT will solicit for these projects during Flex Fund solicitations and will hold those projects in a ranked queue until available funds are known for the biennium. Selected applicants will be notified.
Previously Awarded Projects
Awarded Project Map Instructions
23-25 Flex Fund Results Debrief
Debrief Presentation
Resources
- Oil Producing Counties
- Program Guidance
- NDDOT ROW Letter Template
- NDDOT District Contact Information
- Multi Jurisdiction Understanding Letter Template
- County Understanding for Township Project Letter Template
- County Auditor Contact Information
- Historic Bid Prices by Item
- Recent plans and bids
- Legislative Report May 2024
Application Templates
These templates are a tool for collecting the information needed to apply for the Flex Fund Programs. All applications MUST BE submitted through the online applications. If you need assistance with the online applications contact flexfund@nd.gov .
FAQ
Who can I contact for questions?
For questions, email flexfund@nd.gov.
What type of projects are eligible?
Any projects that improve or maintain a paved or unpaved roadway or public bridge.
I’m a member of a Township, why do I have to provide contact information for my county?
Township projects selected will require the agreement and reimbursements be made through the county.
Can we apply for more than one project?
Yes, there is no limit on the number of projects submitted. If submitting more than one project, please indicate which project is your highest priority for funding in the Project Need section of the application.
If a project that we submit for a grant is approved, will the applicant receive all the money up front to complete the project? Or will we receive a percentage of the total grant?
No, this program is a reimbursement program. Each approved project will have a funding agreement that details the total funding available and funding split if applicable. All project costs will need to be concurred on by NDDOT to be eligible for reimbursement. As the work is done, an applicant will submit a request for reimbursement to the NDDOT with appropriate invoices, progress estimates, etc. for payment.
What happens if the project costs end up being less?
The project costs will be split based on the percentage of requested funds from the application. I.E. the application requests 50% of project costs, then 50% of the project cost is eligible for reimbursement by the program.
What happens if the project costs end up being more?
This is dependent on the LPA type applying. See the Guidance document for additional information or contact flexfund@nd.gov for a detailed explanation.
How long will we have to spend the funds?
The intent is to have all projects completed in one to two years. Occasionally, there are circumstances that can delay projects, if this should happen, we will review that project and decide how we move forward. If your project is large and will take more than one to two years to design and construct it is recommended that you apply for the project in phases. I.E. Preliminary Engineering only or breaking the project into logical sections.
Can we submit a bridge or culvert replacement project? If we do, is an engineering review required to replace the pipes?
Yes, a culvert replacement project would be an acceptable application for either the Grants for Non-Oil Townships or the Grants for Non-oil Counties and Cities programs. All culverts being replaced need to follow North Dakota Administrative Code 89-14-01, which requires them to be sized accordingly by an engineer. Bridges (structures over 20 foot in span) are eligible for the Grants for Bridges program
Is there a minimum or maximum funding amount per application?
Yes, see Guidance document for additional information based on the grant program being applied for.
Do we need an engineering and/or environmental study?
Depending on the scope of work, environmental and engineering professionals will need to be involved to ensure all permits and state, or federal requirements are followed. Engineering costs and environmental studies are eligible costs for reimbursement.
Who can help with a project estimate?
Townships should first reach out to their local county highway department. Otherwise, local contractors or engineering consultant firms have the required experience to help prepare estimates.
Once a grant application is approved, how long will it take to receive funds to begin work on a project?
Once a project is approved, NDDOT and the applicant will enter into an agreement for the project. The funds will be reimbursed after work has been completed and the proper documents have been submitted to NDDOT for reimbursement.
How will applications be scored?
See program guidance for specifics on how each program selects projects.
What phases of work are eligible for funding?
The following items are eligible if a project is selected:
- Preliminary Engineering
- Right of Way acquisition
- Utility Relocation
- Construction
- Construction Engineering
Any work done prior to the project being awarded and agreement signed is not eligible for reimbursement.
What is a Local Corridor?
A primary route for people and goods. It connects on both ends to larger arterials, county major collectors, state highways, economic facilities, or local areas of importance. They should support daily commutes, provide access to essential services, and/or connect local roads to regional routes. A local corridor will look different depending on the type of LPA it is located in.
How much funding is available?
The estimated amount available for each program is as follows:
- Grants for Non-Oil Townships: $31.1 M
- Grants for Non-Oil Counties and Cities: $44.85 M
- Grants for Bridges: $40.25 M
Why are Township reimbursements sent to the County?
NDCC § 24-02-37.3(4)(d) requires payment to go through the County.
My project contains both a county road and a township road, which program do I apply for?
For each project that involves more than one LPA, a lead LPA must be established and documented in the Multi Jurisdiction Understanding letter attached to the application. The lead LPA will determine which program the project is eligible for.