US 85 Expansion (I-94 to Watford City Bypass)

The U.S. Highway 85 project encompasses approximately 62 miles of roadway in Stark, Billings, and McKenzie counties, North Dakota. The project begins at the Interstate 94 interchange and extends north to the Watford City Bypass (McKenzie County Road 30). 

The proposed action is to expand this segment of U.S. 85 from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway with flexible design options to avoid or minimize impacts and rehabilitate or replace the historic Long X Bridge over the Little Missouri River. 

The goal of the project is to essentially maintain and follow the existing U.S. 85 alignment, utilizing the existing infrastructure to minimize potential impacts on environmental, socioeconomic, and human-made resources, to the maximum extent practicable.

Completed Projects

• Long X Bridge replacement - 2020 
• Watford City to the Long X Bridge - 2024

Future Projects 

• Junction of I-94 north 10 miles
• 10 miles north of junction of I-94 to near Gorham Junction
• Near Gorham Junction north to junction of ND 200
• ND 200/US 85 intersection
• Junction of ND 200 north to reference point 120.3
• Reference point 120.3 north to the Long X Bridge