Gov. Jack Dalrymple today joined state and local officials to celebrate the completion of the third and final phase of Williston’s permanent truck reliever route. The 13-mile-long bypass is designed to divert regional truck traffic around the western edge of the city to ease traffic congestion and improve roadway safety. “This truck route is another example of our ongoing commitment to addressing the public infrastructure needs in western North Dakota and throughout the entire state,” Dalrymple said. “With more than 29,000 vehicles traveling through this area each day, the Williston bypass will provide a more safe and efficient roadway for both regional and local traffic. We still have much work ahead, but North Dakota continues to make great progress.”
The state invested about $150 million to build the 13-mile, four-lane bypass which routes truck traffic west of Williston, connecting US Highway 85 and US Highway 2. The state has invested a total of $420 million solely on the construction of truck routes that serve the communities of Williston, Watford City, Alexander, New Town, Dickinson and Killdeer.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) began work on Williston’s permanent bypass with construction of a new intersection at US Highway 2 and US Highway 85 in early 2014. This year, the state completed the final two phases of the four-lane roadway. In 2012, the state finished work on a temporary bypass that provided alternative routes on both the west and east sides of the city. “The NDDOT worked closely with the community to alleviate traffic congestion by providing the temporary truck reliever route until this new route could be created,” NDDOT Director Grant Levi said. “With over 13 miles of new roadway and a reconstructed intersection of US Highway 2 and 85, the new Williston Northwest Permanent Truck Reliever Route has vastly improved travel in the city of Williston.”
Since 2013, North Dakota has invested more than $800 million a year on statewide roadway projects, the largest road improvement campaign in state history. Dalrymple congratulated Williston and Williams County officials on completion of the bypass and thanked them for their assistance to NDDOT in moving the project forward.
Those joining Dalrymple to commemorate the completion of Williston’s permanent bypass included Sen. David Rust, Rep. Gary Sukut, Rep. Bert Anderson, Williston Mayor Howard Klug, Williams County Commissioners Dan Kalil and Wayne Aberle, Grant Levi, North Dakota Energy Impact Coordinator Rory Nelson and Williston Chamber of Commerce President Scott Meske.
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