Highway 52 Four-Lane Study

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is currently studying the potential expansion of US Highway 52 from a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway over a 21.5-mile stretch between Minot and Voltaire.

Why is this being studied?

During the 2023 legislative session, the North Dakota Legislature allocated $5 million as part of HB 1012 to study the expansion project (Phase I & II). This study includes preliminary engineering, traffic operation analysis, topography survey, geotechnical investigations, environmental and cultural field studies, and public engagement. Primary alternatives being studied include a divided four-lane highway with a depressed center median and a divided four-lane highway with a flush paved center median. Additionally, the study is looking at various alternatives through the community of Velva.

The overall development process for this project has been divided into a total of three phases.

Study Timeline

Phase I: Preliminary Engineering Study - Focused on developing preliminary alternatives and identifying constraints along the corridor. 
Timeline: Oct. 2023-Dec. 2024

Recent Items completed:

• Management Presentation 9/12/24.
• Second Stakeholder Group Meeting held on 10/07/24.
• Public Input Meetings held on 10/21/24 and 10/22/24.

Phase II: Environmental Document - Fulfilling requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which includes refining project alternatives, assessing potential impacts associated with those alternatives, preparing environmental documentation, and selecting an alternative to carry forward to final design. 
Timeline: Jan. 2025 - Dec. 2025