News Releases for February 2004
February 20, 2004
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Hoeven Announces 4-Laning Of U.S. Highway 2 Between Minot and Williston
Project to Be Completed in Half the Time Originally Scheduled
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced plans to begin construction in May on a project to widen to four lanes a portion of U.S. Highway 2 between Minot and Williston. The project will be completed in five years, rather than the 10 years originally scheduled, Hoeven said.
The news came following environmental approval of the plan this week by the Federal Highway Administration. Efforts to complete the project have been underway for more than two decades, according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).
"We are pleased today to announce the 4-laning of U.S. Highway 2 between Minot and Williston, which is a key factor in expanding economic activity and business opportunities in the northwestern region of our state," Hoeven said. "A strong infrastructure is crucial to attracting new businesses and the kinds of higher paying jobs we are working hard to attract."
Nearly 98 miles of U.S. 2 between Minot and Williston is to be reconstructed into a four-lane highway. Bids for the first phase of the project between Ray and Tioga will be opened on April 16, with construction scheduled to get underway in May. The 4-laning of U.S. 2 will be completed by late fall of 2008.
"On Wednesday, we finally received environmental clearance from the Federal Highway Administration to proceed with the project," said Dave Sprynczynatyk, Director of the NDDOT. "The department is currently working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as it reviews the wetlands permitting application."
"The real positive here is that the 4-laning project will be accelerated, so that it will be completed in five years, rather than the 10 years originally planned," Hoeven said. "The people of North Dakota have been waiting a long time, not only to get it going after 20 years, but to get it done. Now, we're going to complete it in half the time scheduled so that the businesses and residents of northwestern North Dakota can realize the benefits sooner."
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