North Dakota Implementation
Bringing Energy to the Economy
The Theodore Roosevelt Expressway Association (TRE) plays a central role in advancing state policy priorities for the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway across North Dakota, working in close coordination with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and regional stakeholders. The Association’s efforts focus on upgrading U.S. Highway 85 into a four-lane divided corridor to improve safety, freight mobility, and energy sector access, particularly in western North Dakota’s Bakken region. TRE advocates for sustained state investment through North Dakota’s legislative appropriations and long-range transportation planning, while also aligning projects with federal funding opportunities such as INFRA and RAISE grants. Key policy priorities include advancing environmental clearances, supporting construction of remaining two-lane segments, enhancing system resilience in challenging terrain like the Badlands, and ensuring the corridor meets future Interstate standards.
In addition to freight and energy, TRE emphasizes the corridor’s importance to tourism, improving access to destinations such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and surrounding Badlands communities. By enhancing roadway capacity, safety, and reliability, these investments support increased visitation, strengthen local economies, and promote North Dakota’s outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and scenic byway experiences. Through coordinated outreach with state leaders, local governments, and industry partners, TRE continues to position the corridor as a critical north–south trade and travel route linking Canada to the central United States.
Corridor Successes
North Dakota has demonstrated sustained, long-term commitment to advancing the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway through significant infrastructure investment and phased corridor improvements. Since the early 2010s, the state has prioritized upgrades along U.S. Highway 85, delivering major four-lane expansions between Watford City and Williston, constructing critical reliever routes around growing energy communities, and improving regional connectivity tied to the Bakken development. Signature projects such as the Long X Bridge replacement and multiple corridor widening efforts reflect a coordinated strategy to enhance safety, increase capacity, and support freight and energy movement. In total, North Dakota has invested more than $717 million in construction through 2025, positioning the corridor for future Interstate standards while reinforcing its role as a vital north–south route for commerce, tourism, and regional mobility.
What Is Coming?
Two major U.S. Highway 85 expansion projects in North Dakota reached a key milestone with successful bid openings in November 2025, advancing nearly 20 miles of corridor improvements south of the Long X Bridge to ND Highway 200. Funded through a combination of state and federal resources under Senate Bill 2012, the projects total approximately $155 million and continue the state’s long-term effort to upgrade the corridor to a four-lane divided facility.
The first segment, extending from Reference Post 120.3 to the Long X Bridge in McKenzie County, attracted five competitive bids ranging from $83.8 million to $102 million, with the apparent low bid submitted by Park Construction Company. The second segment, from RP 120.3 to ND 200, includes approximately 12 miles of reconstruction with intersection upgrades, drainage improvements, and enhanced safety features, supported by a $55 million federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant match.
Both projects build upon a completed 2019 FEIS/ROD and are designed to improve safety, capacity, and system reliability while addressing geotechnical and environmental considerations. Construction is anticipated to occur over two seasons in 2026 and 2027, marking another significant step toward full corridor modernization and future Interstate readiness. In parallel, the North Dakota Legislature has already directed the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) to initiate environmental review work on the remaining U.S. 85 segment between Interstate 94 and the North Dakota–South Dakota state line as the Long X Bridge to ND 200 improvements near completion—ensuring continuity of planning and positioning the corridor for future investment and development.
Notable Project Totals
~$155 million total – Combined cost of the two segments between Long X Bridge and ND 200 (state + federal)
$83.8M low bid – RP 120.3 to Long X Bridge construction contract (2025 bid opening)
$61.8M low bid – US 85 Expansion: RP 120.3 to ND 200 construction contract (2025 bid opening)
Overall, North Dakota’s approach is clear: lead with large state investments—often from energy-driven revenues—then leverage federal funds to complete high-cost segments, accelerating the full buildout of U.S. 85 toward four-lane, future Interstate standards.
Key North Dakota
State Funding
North Dakota’s investment in U.S. Highway 85 has been driven by substantial, targeted state funding paired with strategic federal participation to accelerate development of the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. Through legislative appropriations such as Senate Bill 2012, the state committed approximately $100 million for the US 85 expansion from RP 120.3 north to the Long X Bridge in McKenzie County, supporting four-lane divided reconstruction including grading, surfacing, and structural improvements. An additional $55 million in state funding was paired with $55 million in federal Rural Surface Transportation Grant funds to advance the US 85 expansion from RP 120.3 to ND 200, completing approximately 12 miles of four-lane divided highway. Beyond these projects, North Dakota has directed hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple bienniums to support corridor-wide improvements tied to energy development and freight movement. The Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund has contributed more than $300 million across multiple projects, supporting major upgrades including four-lane expansions between Watford City and Williston, capacity enhancements, and safety improvements in the high-growth Bakken region. The State Highway Fund continues to provide required match for federal-aid programs and supports ongoing planning, environmental review, design, and right-of-way acquisition along the corridor, while earnings from the Legacy Fund have enabled large-scale infrastructure appropriations that make sustained investment in U.S. 85 possible.approach between expanding the highway system and preserving existing assets.
Economic Benefits
North Dakota’s investment in U.S. Highway 85 and the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway delivers significant economic benefits by strengthening one of the state’s most critical north–south freight corridors. The route serves as a primary connector for the Bakken energy region, improving the efficient movement of oil, natural gas, equipment, and agricultural commodities to national and international markets. Expanding US 85 to a four-lane divided facility reduces travel times, increases reliability, and lowers transportation costs for producers, directly supporting North Dakota’s energy and agriculture sectors—two of the state’s largest economic drivers.
Improved highway capacity and safety also enhance workforce mobility and support continued growth in western North Dakota communities such as Williston and Watford City, where economic activity is closely tied to energy development. By reducing congestion and crash risk along a historically high-fatality corridor, these investments help stabilize local economies, attract private investment, and improve quality of life for residents.
At a regional level, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway strengthens North Dakota’s role in North American trade by connecting Canada to the central United States and beyond. This enhanced connectivity supports supply chain resilience, expands market access for exports, and positions the state as a key logistics link between energy production areas, agricultural regions, and major interstate systems. Over time, continued investment in US 85 advances the corridor toward Future Interstate standards, creating long-term economic competitiveness, job creation, and sustained growth across western North Dakota.
Support in the North Dakota Legislature
Now is the time to keep momentum moving forward in North Dakota. Urge your state legislators to continue prioritizing investment in U.S. Highway 85 and the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway through sustained funding and long-term planning support. Ongoing legislative commitment ensures that critical four-lane expansion projects advance, improves safety for North Dakota drivers, and strengthens the state’s role in energy production, agriculture, and North American trade. Continued support in the North Dakota Legislature is essential to deliver a Future Interstate-ready corridor that drives economic growth and keeps North Dakota competitive.