NDDOT awards $10M in Township Assistance Program funding
The NDDOT recently selected 22 projects to fund through the newly created Township Assistance Program (TAP).
Legislation creating the TAP was approved by the 68th Legislative Assembly and signed by Gov. Doug Burgum last spring. The program provides $10 million to NDDOT for improvements on township roads and bridges, using state funds to improve local corridors that are considered economic generators.
“This program is providing much-needed funding to improve rural roads and bridges in townships across North Dakota,” Burgum said. “Investing now will help ensure our citizens have safe and reliable routes throughout the state for decades to come.”
NDDOT worked with partners from Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota Association of Counties and North Dakota Township Officers Association to develop the program.
Townships worked with the county to submit their applications. The TAP received applications for 284 projects totaling $66.7 million in requested funds.
Twenty-one projects met program criteria and were fully funded. One alternative project will be partially funded and receive any unspent funds from other projects.
NDDOT receives $55 million U.S. DOT grant
Largest grant in NDDOT history
NDDOT was recently awarded a rural grant in the amount of $55 million for the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Freight Safety Project from the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). This is a big win for North Dakota and is the result of about ten years of persistence through applications to various grant programs resulting in the largest grant NDDOT has ever received.
The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Freight Safety Project will widen approximately 13.3 miles of U.S. Highway 85 in McKenzie County. This project is a small part of a larger U.S. 85 corridor improvement project which will transform U.S. 85 from a two‐lane highway to a four‐lane highway while also widening shoulders and straightening curves from Watford City to Interstate 94.
Many NDDOT employees made significant contributions to this grant over the years, including Dave Leingang, Stewart Milakovic, Rebecca Geyer, Scott Zainhofsky, Chris Holzer, Terry Woehl, Logan Beise, Mike Wilz, Matt Linneman, Derek Pfeifer, Garrett Hartl, and Williston District staff.
Gerhart named NDDOT deputy director for administration
Mike Gerhart became NDDOT's deputy director for administration on January 1, 2024.
In his new role, Mike oversees the financial management, legal, human resources and communications divisions. He will also oversee the department’s IT budget and serve as a primary contact for IT-related issues.
He will work closely with the executive team to align training, staffing, and budget resources that further the department’s mission to “safely move people and goods.”
Mike joined NDDOT in 2020 as the state fleet director. Prior to joining the department, he served as the executive director of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association. In 2018 he retired after 26 years of service from the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP). Prior to his retirement, Gerhart was appointed superintendent of the NDHP from 2014 to 2018 by Gov. Jack Dalrymple.
Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and business administration from Dickinson State University in 1991. He graduated from Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2006.
We look forward to watching Mike grow in his new role within the agency. Welcome to the executive team, Mike!
2023 Name-A-Plow Contest winners announced
A record-setting number of North Dakotans participated in our third annual NDDOT Name-A-Plow contest! A total of 1,153 snowplow name ideas were submitted between Oct. 30 - Nov. 20, 2023.
The winning names are:
- Williston District: Alice Scooper
- Minot District: Buzz Iceclear
- Devils Lake District: Polar Patroler
- Grand Forks District: Blizzard of OZ
- Fargo District: Sno’ Problem
- Valley City District: Drift Busters
- Bismarck District: Brrrrrnie
- Dickinson District: Cousin Eddie
Names were submitted by the public before being narrowed down by the district. Winners were chosen through NDDOT employee vote.
Each winner will have the opportunity to meet with the operator of the plow they named, as well as have their snowplow name displayed on the plow.
A special thank you and shout out to students and staff from Prairie View Elementary School in Devils Lake for helping us announce this years winners!
Watch Prairie View Elem. students announce our winners
We also want to sincerely thank everyone who submitted names for your participation and excitement about the Name-A-Plow contest! When you see snowplows out on the road, remember to give them space so they can do their jobs safely. Remember to download the ND Roads app to have the latest road condition information at your fingertips.
Vision Zero year in review
Vision Zero saw education and outreach successes in 2023. Additional schools were added to the Vision Zero Schools program in 2023 with others in progress for 2024. The program currently has 11 schools across the state promoting traffic safety messages in their communities.
In March, Vision Zero launched Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) – a program to remind North Dakotans of the importance of wearing a seat belt and driving distraction-free. About 155 individuals and businesses have already taken the BUPD pledge.
ND Sober Ride continues to provide a solution to impaired driving by offering $10 Lyft vouchers during holidays and events. A campaign for the holiday season just ended on Jan. 1. Prior to its completion, ND Sober Ride provided nearly 2,000 rides since its launch in 2021.
Other noteworthy programs include the Driving Skills for Success event and Impact Teen Drivers. As 2024 begins, Vision Zero will continue its work to end motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads through these lifesaving programs. Click below to learn more.
2023 Rewind
It was a great year and we have a lot to celebrate. Here are a few of our wins from 2023:
- Primary seatbelt law passes: The culmination of years of hard work by Vision Zero and a long list of stakeholders.
- Driver license redesign: The new design features a combination of high-tech safety features to thwart reproduction.
- Investments in North Dakota's transportation infrastructure:
- NDDOT applied for $278.5 million in Federal funds.
- In 2023, 95.8 million dollars has been successfully awarded. Just in December, $55 million was awarded to 4-lane a segment of US 85 from ND 200 north approximately 13 miles. The project is planned to be constructed in 2026, pending final design and negotiation of the grant agreement.
- $225 million Flexible Transportation Fund was established: To improve transportation infrastructure on and off the highway system, like this lit walking path over I-94 in Dickinson.