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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

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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