July 2024 On the Move

NDDOT recently completed a traffic study that shows the state’s roundabouts are reducing serious injuries and saving lives.  

The study reports severe injury and fatal crashes were reduced by 59% and overall crash numbers are down by 33%.  

“Roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure,” said NDDOT Director Ron Henke. “This data shows roundabouts are performing well and saving lives in North Dakota.”

Roundabouts are just one method being deployed to improve safety on the state highway system.  

The state’s first reduced conflict intersections are being built on U.S. Highway 2 near Williston this year. Also, motorists will start to see pavement markings increase from 4 inches wide to a new six-inch standard around the state to improve roadway visibility.

For more information read our news release.

Read the study

In June 2022, heavy rainfall caused a major washout on North Dakota Highway 32 about four miles south of Fordville, ND. Immediately after the washout occurred, the Grand Forks District and NDDOT’s Bridge Division acted quickly to come up with a temporary fix: installing four 60-inch culverts then backfilling the washout area. The road was closed for approximately two weeks while the work was completed.

Because the initial repairs were not meant to be a permanent solution, this summer the Grand Forks District is removing those temporary culverts and installing a new quad barrel. Each barrel is 9 feet wide, 8 feet-tall and 112 feet long. To date, the new box culvert has been set (as shown in the picture) and the contractor has begun backfilling around the box. The goal is a mid-August completion date.

This unfortunate disaster is a great example of how several of NDDOT’s teams worked as one on a tight deadline to make sure the road was repaired quickly and safely until a permanent solution could be designed. 

NDDOT recently hosted the annual Electric Vehicle (EV) Tailgate, an event in Bismarck that features all kinds of electric forms of transportation. On display at the Capitol grounds were cars, SUV’s, trucks, bikes, skid steer loaders, a lawn mower, and golf carts. Event attendees were able to get up close and personal with the vehicles. Several of the owners were present as well, answering people’s questions about their vehicles.  

Team NDDOT members were on hand to answer questions and discuss the EV Charging Infrastructure Program, a program to fund the addition of high-speed EV charging stations along highly traveled corridors. More than 300 people attended this year’s event, enjoying good food, great company, and nifty technology. Big thanks to Capital Electric for co-sponsoring and providing free food for all the attendees.   

Vision Zero hosted a free, one-day safety event for 52 drivers age 14-18 at the Minot State University Dome on Wednesday, June 19.  

Vision Zero Driving Skills for Success (DSFS) gives teens the opportunity to drive through a closed course with various types of distractions, view the consequences of not wearing a seat belt through the rollover simulator, and experience simulators that focus on impaired and distracted driving prevention. Other stations include parallel parking, car care clinic, driver and officer interaction and more. Teens also have the opportunity to participate in the North Dakota Safety Council’s Alive at 25 defensive driving course.  

A second DSFS event is scheduled for July 30 at the VFW Sports Center in Bismarck. Register teens now at visionzero.nd.gov.  

Did you know that the same Team NDDOT members who are out plowing and maintaining the roads are also going into classrooms to meet our future drivers? These passionate equipment operators are going above and beyond by talking to young people about the responsibilities of driving in our two most challenging seasons: winter weather and road construction.

Recently, Wade Szudera and Dan Currie from the Dickinson District visited a local driver education class to present “BE Safety Minded Alert Responsible Travelers,” or Be SMART. The program aims to get kids familiar with how NDDOT takes care of highways. Presenters talk about snowplows and other equipment, taking safety precautions in work zones, and of course, distracted driving. They also introduce the kids to the NDRoads app and all the helpful information it provides to drivers.

We have several teams across the state that present to driver education classes, and venture into elementary schools as well. It’s never too early to learn the importance of slowing down in work zones, not crowding the plow, and reminding your parents to buckle up, phone down! 

Join Poppy as she takes you on a tour of construction and maintenance projects across North Dakota. It's a great way to see all the things NDDOT is accomplishing to meet our mission of safely moving people and goods. New episodes air twice monthly on our Facebook and YouTube accounts.

Cone Zone 2024 playlist

Construction crews are out in full force this summer making the most of our short construction season. To date, 148 contracts have been executed totaling $522 million in investment to North Dakota roadways.

Construction season will go as far into the fall as Mother Nature allows so stay alert in work zones, slow down and give our team room to work. It’s our priority that everyone, you and them, both return home safely every night. Traveling soon? Find construction updates on the ND Roads app or by visiting travel.dot.nd.gov.