Theodore Roosevelt Westway executive director Calcolin updated the Williams County Commission on progress and next phases for upgrades to the US‑85 corridor and on outreach to secure federal surface‑transportation funding.

Calcolin said the corridor group recently secured a $55,000,000 federal grant, matched by state dollars and an additional $100,000,000, to fund about 6.5 miles of improvements from the south end of the Long Higgs Bridge up to Highway 200. "That project will be bid this fall ... and this will be under construction for 2 years," Calcolin said. He described the segment as one of the most challenging along the corridor and said additional phases would follow.

Calcolin described the next phase, from Highway 200 to Interstate 94, as planned for phased construction between 2027 and 2029 and said planning and utility work are underway. He further said recent legislation requires the state DOT to complete environmental work from I‑94 to the South Dakota border, creating a longer planning horizon for the corridor. "We are gonna push for that very diligently to try to get some funding on that," he said, noting the corridor group is preparing resolutions or letters of support for the federal surface transportation reauthorization.

Commissioners asked about the relationship between proposed interstate I‑27 and the US‑85 improvements. Calcolin explained the corridor group is seeking funding for interstate‑level planning and designation in the long term, saying, "If it were to be ... designated I‑27 ... the planning would be, and it would be designated I‑27." He described the near‑term focus as planning and benefit‑cost analysis to show the corridor's potential for future four‑lane upgrades.

Why it matters: Upgrades to US‑85 and associated planning could affect regional connectivity, tourism routes linking Mount Rushmore and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, freight movement and long‑term safety and capacity. The corridor group asked local governments to consider signing resolutions or letters of support as federal surface transportation legislation approaches.

Ending: Calcolin said outreach will continue with congressional delegations and neighboring states and asked the commission to consider which form of local support (resolutions versus letters) it would prefer to provide during upcoming funding cycles.