Welcome to the On the Move newsletter, your gateway to the latest developments and initiatives brought to you by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Whether you're a commuter, a contractor, or simply interested in the future of mobility, our newsletter keeps you updated on infrastructure projects, safety measures, and innovative technologies shaping the way we move.
March 2025 Edition
North Dakota ranks third in 28th annual highway report
North Dakota ranked #3 nationally in highway performance and cost-effectiveness in Reason Foundation's Annual Highway Report - up from #9 last year. We were found to have "better-than-average system conditions (good for road users) along with relatively low per-mile expenditures (also good for taxpayers)."
"This ranking is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team at NDDOT," said Director Ron Henke. "We are committed to delivering a safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation system for North Dakota. Continuous improvement is at the core of what we do, and this recognition reflects our focus on innovation, smart investment, and maintaining a high level of service for the traveling public."
Record crowd gathers to network and learn at NDTC 2025
The 2025 North Dakota Transportation Conference was a resounding success, bringing together over 900 attendees, more than 60 exhibitors, and numerous sponsors to explore the latest advancements in the transportation industry. The event featured an engaging lineup of speakers, including newly elected Governor Kelly Armstrong, who shared insights on the future of infrastructure and mobility in the state.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation by world-famous magician Stuart MacDonald, who captivated the audience with his unique blend of magic and storytelling. Attendees had the opportunity to network, discover cutting-edge technologies, and participate in insightful discussions that will shape the future of transportation in North Dakota and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success! We look forward to seeing you again next year on March 10-11.
Dakota DOTs got head-to-head in Battle of the Blades
March Madness isn’t just for basketball this year — it’s hitting the highways! NDDOT and our friends (friendly rivals?) to the south, SDDOT, are in a red-hot Battle of the Blades, a bracket-style competition where snowplow names go head-to-head, and fans decide the champion.
Round one and Round two voting are in the playbook already but voting rounds will continue with the Snowy Sixteen (March 27-28), the Abominable Eight (March 29-30), and the Frosty Four (April 5-6). Then, in a full-court press for glory, the two states will go head-to-head for the Championship (April 7).
Voting is online and via both states' Facebook pages.
Will North Dakota’s fleet drive to the championship, or will South Dakota bring the heat? The power is in your hands!
Construction season is here. Time to get in the zone!
Continuing our 'Spring sports' coverage, construction season has already tipped off (see what we did there?) in some places around the state thanks to recent rounds of mild weather. We have about 175 projects on the docket -- some major overhauls and some smaller fixes to improve traffic flow and safety. Here are a few of the larger projects:
- Mandan: Memorial Highway reconstruction
- Bismarck: Exit 161 bridge replacement and interchange realignment
- Medora: Roundabout, mill and overlay, and bridge widening
- Williston: Intersection realignment on Highway 2
- Fargo: Bridge deck overlays on the Red River bridges
Safety is this season's MVP -- so download the ND Roads app or check the Travel Map to "know before you go" and be a winner this road construction season.
NDDOT and CareerViewXR give students real-life look at transportation careers
Remember back to high school, when your whole life stretched out in front of you and you had little to no idea what kind of career you wanted to pursue? How cool would it have been to pop on a pair of virtual reality goggles and explore dozens of different job opportunities?
Today’s students are fortunate enough to have that experience, thanks to CareerView XR, a job exploration platform that immerses users in a real on-the-job environments.
And NDDOT is on the way to having three job experiences featured on the platform. In January and February, crews from CareerView XR visited the Fargo District to capture a day in the life of an equipment operator, Dickinson to capture a day in the life of an engineering tech, and Bismarck to capture a day in the life of a diesel tech. They film with special 360-degree media cameras.
“360 degree media makes an extraordinary impact over traditional pictures and videos,” says the CareerViewXR web site. “In traditional media, the point of view is decided for you. With 360 degree media, viewers choose their adventure while exploring the content, unrestrained by the conventional frame of reference. The scope allows users to see the action from a first-person view anywhere at any time.”
The experiences will be added to CareerView XR’s lineup this fall, bringing the number of North Dakota job experiences to 100.
“Showing people tasks involved with a job helps them to better understand what their future could look like. Getting to take something apart, drive a truck that has equipment, makes it feel like you are in a video game or putting something back together,” said Lynn Spomer, strategic talent acquisition manager. “These are all things that people need to see in order to make a career decision.”
Each public high school in North Dakota and some employment agencies (including Job Service North Dakota) has at least one pair of virtual reality goggles and a subscription to CareerView XR. Limited versions of the career experiences are available online.
We’ll share more about NDDOT’s experiences when our jobs debut on the platform in the fall. Stay tuned!
Kudos to Team NDDOT for keeping North Dakota moving
Whether it's clearing roads after a snowstorm, assisting residents with REAL ID applications, processing vehicle titles, or teaching the next generation of North Dakotans about what we do, Team NDDOT goes above and beyond every day. Their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed — North Dakotans have shared their appreciation, and we’re excited to highlight some of their kind words:
"I renewed my North Dakota driver license this morning at your Fargo location. I do not have a question, but I wanted to provide feedback on my experience. Having heard horrible experiences from friends and family in other states, I believe North Dakota should perhaps provide in-service training to these other states on how to provide services! Everything from receiving notification of renewal to online registration and scheduling to the terrific people on-site … you guys get it! Dare I say, it was actually a pleasant experience? In any case, thank you and congratulations on providing a great service." – Dan P.
"Two or three days a week, I travel between Kenmare and New Town. I am consistently impressed with the speed with which the roads are cleared and treated. I just wanted to express my gratitude for keeping so many drivers safe as a result of the work of NDDOT. Thank you." – Kate M.
"Thank you so much for keeping Highway 23 West clear of snow so I can get to work in New Town. Thank you again." – Kat E.
“I have to say the amazing service and respect that I received from Kristi at the Grand Forks office. She goes above and beyond to make this kind of stressful process a breeze!” – Sheena D.
After NDDOT operator Arlyn Johnson from the Minot District visited Mohall Lansford Sherwood Public School, Mrs. Depute’s second-grade students colored pictures and sent them to the Mohall Section as a thank-you for his visit.
Name A Plow winners tour districts and meet drivers
Winners of the 2024 Name A Plow contest were offered the chance to meet the plow drivers and explore their named snowplow. From left, Lisa submitted the winner "Sled Zeppelin" in the Valley City District. She's seen with operator Matt. Center, Chase, Anna, and their baby, Ivan, submitted the winner, "Mr. Snowjangles" in the Dickinson District. And an NDDOT employee, Nathan K., seen at right, is with operator Wallace in front of his winning submission, "Optimus Brine," in Devils Lake.