January 23, 2026
FM Area Diversion January Construction Update
FARGO, N.D. (January 23, 2026) – Portions of the FM Area Diversion’s 30-mile stormwater diversion channel now provide functional drainage, meaning that they will operate as intended during rain events, channeling water north to the diversion outlet.
This progress and other updates can be seen at the January 2026 Construction Flyover video below.
Transcript: January 2026 Construction Flyover
Click to expand transcript
Tom Fuchs (Senior Construction Manager): [00:00:00] Additional sections of the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel are now connected, bringing the Fargo-Moorhead region tangible steps closer to permanent flood protection. I’m Tom Fuchs, senior construction manager for the Metro Flood Diversion Authority, with those and other updates on your FM Area Diversion.
[00:00:34] In reach three of the stormwater diversion channel north of the FM metro area, channel excavation is now substantially complete where the County Road 81 bypass and BNSF Hillsboro shoofly once moved traffic.
[00:00:58] Just upstream in channel reach 4, final grading and top soil placement are underway where both the Rush River and the lower Rush River once crossed the diversion channel’s alignment. Recently completed channel excavation at these locations established functional drainage connections for diversion channel reaches two and three as well as portions of reach 4. In other words, rainfall or runoff events in these areas can now be expected to pass down the stormwater diversion channel to its outlet into the Red River.
[00:01:40] ASN Constructors also is working around the clock on reaches 8 and 9 which span I-94. They are removing the interstate bypasses that were used earlier this year as well as excavating the channel.
[00:02:03] As our drone view takes us over the Maple River Aqueduct, we can see towers for the aqueduct’s vertical lift gate have now been assembled and installed. ASN Constructors also has placed more concrete on the spillway’s base and is excavating the diversion channel on the south approach to the aqueduct flume and conduit structure.
[00:02:32] A couple of miles south, work continues at the BNSF KO crossing. This month ASN completed concrete placement for the last span of the bridge’s deck. Concrete work is anticipated to continue in the coming months as the weather allows, with temporary heating and shelter apparatuses used. BNSF crews are also installing track and ballast on the new mainline approaches at both ends of the crossing.
[00:03:01] For more insights on the FM area diversion’s construction and the people behind it, subscribe to the diversion current at fmdiversion.gov/subscribe.
Aqueducts: The towers for the vertical lift gate of the Maple River Aqueduct have now been assembled and installed. ASN Constructors also has placed more concrete on the spillway’s base and is excavating the diversion channel on the south approach to the aqueduct’s flume and conduit structure.
Crossings: ASN completed concrete placement for the last span of the BNSF KO crossing. Concrete work will continue in the coming months, as the weather allows, with temporary heating and shelter apparatuses used. BNSF crews also are installing track and ballast on the new mainline approaches at both ends of the crossing.
Stormwater Diversion Channel: In Reach 3 of the stormwater diversion channel, north of the FM metro area, channel excavation is now substantially complete where the County Road 81 Bypass and BNSF Hillsboro Shoofly once moved traffic. Just upstream, in Reach 4, final grading and topsoil placement are underway where both the Rush River and the Lower Rush River once crossed the diversion channel’s alignment. Recently completed channel excavation at these locations established functional drainage connections for diversion channel reaches 2 and 3 as well as portions of reach 4. ASN Constructors also is working around-the-clock on reaches 8 and 9, which span I-94. They are removing portions of the interstate bypasses that were used earlier this year as well as excavating the channel.
About the Metro Flood Diversion Authority
The MFDA is a permanent North Dakota political subdivision that is cooperatively implementing the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MFDA works in partnership with the Red River Valley Alliance in a public-private partnership as well as the City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, Cass County, Clay County and the Cass County Joint Water Resource District.