Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Highway Expansion topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends NDOT US 26/L 62A corridor (Minatare) after FHWA issues FONSI; preliminary cost ~$94.7M
Summary
NDOT presented the US 26/L 62A corridor project (Minatare‑area) to expand an 18.5‑mile segment to a 4‑lane 2+2 facility; FHWA signed a Finding of No Significant Impact and the commission voted to recommend the project to the governor. Estimated preliminary cost is $94.7 million with right‑of‑way acquisition planned to begin this year and construction possible as early as 2026.
Donna, project studies engineer in NDOT’s project development division, presented the US 26 and L 62A corridor project, a planned 18.5‑mile conversion of two lanes to a four‑lane divided facility using a “2‑plus‑2” approach intended to maintain traffic during construction and reduce detour needs. Donna said the project will improve a nationally designated corridor and fulfill federal and state legislative intent tied to the Heartland Expressway.
Donna told the commission that the final environmental assessment is complete and that the Federal Highway Administration signed a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on May 9. “The final EA has been approved, and the final decision of finding no significant impact or FONSI was signed by FHWA on May 9,” Donna said.
Key design features she described include intersection improvements, access control (relocating and consolidating accesses to meet spacing criteria), a 54‑foot depressed median in most locations and a 10‑foot raised median in a short downtown segment to provide pedestrian refuge where requested during public comment. Donna said NDOT will preserve existing lanes where possible to save cost and speed construction.
The preliminary cost estimate presented was $94,700,000. Donna said NDOT will proceed with final design and begin right‑of‑way acquisition later this year, with construction possible as early as 2026.
After the presentation staff read Resolution No. 2025‑2, which requested the commission recommend to the governor approval of the corridor location, design and use of access control for the US 26 and L 62A project. The commission recorded affirmative votes and the resolution passed.
The presentation included a summary of public involvement (open house attendance and prior hearings) and a note that NDOT met individually with impacted property owners; property‑level concerns were recorded and will be addressed in final design and right‑of‑way negotiations.
The commission’s vote was a recommendation to the governor; right‑of‑way acquisition and final design will continue as staff prepare for construction authorization and procurements.
