Groundbreaking Board Of Authority 1 1024x682
Partners with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority and Red River Valley Alliance break ground on the next big portion of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion. The 30-mile stormwater diversion channel will route floodwaters around the metropolitan area to protect roughly 235,000 people along with their homes and businesses. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance Download Image
August 11, 2022

RRVA’s historic P3 project of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion officially underway to bring permanent flood projection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fargo, N.D. (August 9, 2022) – Red River Valley Alliance (RRVA), the developer for the stormwater diversion channel and associated infrastructure of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project, celebrates the beginning of construction on the 30-mile diversion channel. A groundbreaking ceremony was held today in conjunction with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority (MFDA) and ASN Constructors at the site.

This celebration marks a pivotal moment in flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead. Federal, state and local political figures, along with community leaders, joined the Red River Valley Alliance and Metro Flood Diversion Authority at today’s event to commemorate the occasion and look toward the project’s long-lasting flood protection.

RRVA’s involvement with this project is historic as the first public-private partnership (P3) of its kind in North America for flood management. It is also the first United States Army Corps of Engineers project to use a P3 model, which will save ample time for the community to implement permanent flood protection.

“Not only are we providing permanent flood protection for 235,000 people – and their homes, businesses and property – we are giving the river back to the community,” said RRVA CEO and Project Manager Esther Madrigal Diez. “This peaceful, sustainable, protective piece of long-lasting infrastructure will offer more ways for people to connect with nature with things like trails for walking and biking and aqueducts with lookout points.”

“This project is allowing us to build a safer and more stable community that will be safeguarded by the FM Area Diversion; protecting us from the damages that could come from up to a 100-year flood and giving us the ability to fight the inevitable 500-year flood,” said MFDA Executive Director Joel Paulsen. “When finished, this region will be home to one of the world’s greatest infrastructure projects.” Construction on the stormwater diversion channel and associated infrastructure portion of the project is expected to be complete in 2027. To follow the construction progress, go to the FM Area Diversion website construction status page. Career and procurement opportunity information is available at www.asnconstructors.com

###

About the Red River Valley Alliance

Red River Valley Alliance (RRVA) is the developer for the stormwater diversion channel and associated infrastructure (SWDCAI) portion of the comprehensive Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion project. RRVA partner companies include ACCIONA, Shikun & Binui USA and North American Construction Group. The RRVA is responsible for the development, design and construction of the SWDCAI, including bridges, railway crossings, aqueducts, inlets and the diversion outlet, plus operation and maintenance for 30 years.
RRVA is responsible for the diversion channel portion of the FM Area Diversion comprehensive project. For more details about other components within the comprehensive project, please visit the FM Area Diversion website project page.

Pronunciations:
ACCIONA (AHK-see-oh-nah)
Shikun (shih-KOON) & Binui (bihn-OY)

See full press release here 

Groundbreaking Board Of Authority 1 1024x682
Partners with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority and Red River Valley Alliance break ground on the next big portion of the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion. The 30-mile stormwater diversion channel will route floodwaters around the metropolitan area to protect roughly 235,000 people along with their homes and businesses. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Dardis 1024x683
West Fargo Mayor Bernie Dardis, who serves on the MFDA Board of Authority and chairs its Finance Committee, points out John Shockley during remarks at an August 9, 2022, groundbreaking event near the future outlet for the FM Area Diversion. Shockley, who is a shareholder with Ohnstad Twichell and bond and legal counsel for the MFDA, led the architecture of a complex financial plan that includes low-interest loans that will save hundreds of millions of dollars. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Klobuchar 1024x683
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota, speaks about the Fargo-Moorhead area’s history of flooding and the efforts she and Sen. John Hoeven made to secure federal funding for permanent flood control. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Hoeven 683x1024
U.S. Senator John Hoeven, North Dakota, speaks to nearly 200 people gathered near Argusville, North Dakota, on August 9, 2022, to commemorate the start of building the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel portion of the FM Area Diversion. He referred to the project as a “paradigm” that others will follow. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Mahoney 683x1024
Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney speaks of the legacy of late Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker, who helped lead the city’s response to record flooding in 2009. Mahoney serves on the MFDA’s Board of Authority and will chair the board in 2023. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Paulsen Peterson Olson 683x1024
Metro Flood Diversion Authority Executive Director Joel Paulsen, Cass County Commissioner Chad Peterson and Mr. Rodger Olson turn dirt during an August 9, 2022, groundbreaking event. Peterson serves as chairman of the MFDA Board of Authority and Olson serves on the MFDA Board of Authority as well as the Cass County Joint Water Resource District. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Partners 1024x682
Members of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority’s Board of Authority lift dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel portion of the FM Area Diversion comprehensive project. From left are Joel Paulsen, MFDA executive director, Commissioner Chad Peterson, Board of Authority chairman, Mr. Rodger Olson, Council Member Chuck Hendrickson, Council Member Larry Seljevold, Commissioner Dave Ebinger, Commissioner Mary Scherling, Commissioner Rick Steen, Mayor Bernie Dardis, Mayor Tim Mahoney, Commissioner Kevin Campbell, Mayor Shelly Carlson, and Commissioner Dave Piepkorn. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance
Groundbreaking Pinkham 1024x683
Mr. Jaime A. Pinkham, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, speaks during an August 9, 2022, groundbreaking event. He assists in establishing policy direction and supervision over the Department of the Army functions relating to all aspects of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program. Photo courtesy of Red River Valley Alliance