Work continues 24/7 on the flood protection project, which will be operational in 2027.

Two crossings over the channel closed briefly so paving could take place. The combined County Roads 16 and 17 bridge reopened June 15^th and the County Road 81 crossing northwest of Harwood will open by the end of the month.

At the Sheyenne River Aqueduct, where the river will cross over the top of the channel, significant work has been underway. Sections of the structure’s vertical-lift gate are being installed at the upstream end of the flume.  Concrete work is now substantially complete at the aqueduct’s wingwalls, where only work on the concrete and metal railings remain in addition to backfill work that’s ongoing. On each end of the flume, precast concrete girders were installed to form the maintenance road bridge decks. At the spillway, concrete work is nearly completed, and crews have begun driving H-pile foundations for a maintenance road bridge that will span the spillway. These are the last H-piles to be installed as part of the stormwater diversion channel work. 

Concrete work also is underway by the City of Fargo, a partner in building the FM Area Diversion. Near the water treatment plant, concrete is being placed for a 2,000-foot stretch of levees and floodwalls.

Additionally, federal contractors have been working on the 22-mile southern embankment, which will hold back floodwaters. At Reach 2B, crews seeded native grasses and installed turf reinforcement mats as well as placed gravel where 45^th Street will cross up and over the embankment.

Watch these updates and more in the new drone construction update at https://youtu.be/JL1oVfPE-w8.

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.

The post FM Area Diversion June Construction Update appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

The railroad bridge is parallel to Interstate 29 and County Road 81 between Harwood and Argusville, north of Fargo, ND. There are four separate bridges spanning the stormwater diversion channel in this area. 

The bridge measures 405 feet in length. Construction began in the summer of 2023 to construct a temporary track called a shoofly where trains operate until the new bridge is constructed. Work began on the bridge structure in 2024 and was completed by ASN Constructors and Kramer North America in partnership with BNSF, which constructed the track. BNSF will own and maintain the railroad bridge.

“We are excited to celebrate this milestone of opening the first rail bridge, bringing us another step closer to flood protection for the community,” shared Luke Chenery, RRVA CEO. “The partnership with BNSF is crucial to completing this work and maintaining rail traffic so our work didn’t interfere with their business.”

“We appreciate working with RRVA and their efforts to ensure we continue serving our North Dakota customers while also partnering long-term to aid in flood protection for the community,” said Steve Lyne, Division Engineer, BNSF Railway.

For more information about the FM Area Diversion project, visit www.fmdiversion.gov.

The post First Railroad Bridge Opens Across the Stormwater Diversion Channel appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

Forget the stigma that may still be tied to women employed in construction and other male-dominated fields, Brandy Leon says. She loves working as a safety professional in construction and says the more women that embrace the field, the easier it will continue to be for other females to follow their dreams to a construction site. Watch her explain how protecting the workforce is really about connecting with people.

Brandy also joined Katey Levihn, an engineer with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority’s program management consultant, Jacobs, to talk about Women in Construction Week on North Dakota Today. Watch their segment: North Dakota Today – Women in Construction video

The post Faces of the Diversion: Brandy Leon appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

Jason Benson, of West Fargo, North Dakota, has worked for the Cass County Highway Department since 2000, including as its county engineer since 2011. In that role, he has served as a senior technical advisor for the FM Area Diversion project. Benson also is a brigadier general in the Minnesota Army National Guard, serving as the assistant division commander for Operations and Maneuver, 34^th Infantry Division, in the Middle East. He’s a professional engineer who earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University, Fargo; a master’s degree in management from the University of Mary, Fargo campus; and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.

Dennis Lambert, of Lettsworth, Louisiana, has worked as a cost/benefit analyst at IEM since 2020. He previously worked as the chief market manager/area manager for COWI North America Inc. from 2013-17. During part of that time, he worked as a technical lead on the Qualification Tier 1 selection for the FM Area Diversion project’s public-private partnership. He’s a professional engineer who earned bachelor’s degrees in environmental engineering and civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Tulane University, New Orleans.

Daniel Sundberg, of Fargo, works as a site lead for Bayer Crop Services, a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel in August 2023 after 20 years of active-duty service. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Saint Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin; a master’s degree in policy management from McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.; and a master’s degree in business administration from Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

The MFDA Board will interview the three finalists in a special meeting on October 18, 2024, at the Fargo City Hall Commission Chambers. It will be broadcast live on TV Fargo Channel 56 and the City of Fargo’s YouTube channel and later shared on the Metro Flood Diversion Authority’s YouTube channel.

Michael Redlinger, City of Fargo city administrator, and Robert Wilson, Cass County administrator, have served as co-executive directors for the MFDA since April 2024, when the former executive director resigned. They will continue in the role until the new executive director takes the helm, which is expected to occur by early 2025.

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. More information is available at www.FMDiversion.gov.

The post MFDA Executive Director Finalists Announced appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

FARGO, ND (September 27, 2024) – The Metro Flood Diversion Authority released its September construction update video for the FM Area Diversion project. In the past few weeks, roughly 2 million cubic yards of material have been excavated. For perspective, that is enough to cover the entire North Dakota State University campus to a depth of nearly 5 feet. Thousands of cubic yards of concrete also were placed across several locations. Here is a closer look at this month’s highlights.

This progress and other updates can be viewed at the September 2024 Construction Flyover video.

Channel Crossings: ASN Constructors continued work on many of the 19 road and railroad bridges that will cross the stormwater diversion channel. The bypass lanes on I-94 are now fully constructed and will open before winter. Bridge girders were installed at the County Road 22 crossing, and some of the final portions of the combined County Roads 4 and 31 crossing were completed, putting it on track to open to traffic before winter, as well. Additionally, about 700 cubic yards of concrete was poured for the County Road 20 bridge deck this month.

Maple River Aqueduct: Concrete placement continues on this one-of-a-kind structure, where about 9,500 cubic yards of concrete have been placed to date.

Oxbow-Hickson-Bakke Ring Levee: Hendrickson Transportation, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor, completed more than a mile of the inspection trench as well as about 3,000 feet of the 11,500-foot-long-embankment.

Red River Structure: Ames Construction, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor, neared the end of the concrete work on the control structure portion this month, and they began excavating and stockpiling roughly 460,000 cubic yards of fill on the Minnesota side of the river. This material, which is enough to fill the U.S. Capitol Dome more than nine times, will be used to construct the embankment that will cross the Red River after the river is permanently diverted through the structure in 2025.

Stormwater Diversion Channel: Mass excavation took place in Reaches 10, 11,12, and 13 of the channel, which extend from just south of I-94 to south of Horace, North Dakota. Close to another 2 million cubic yards of the necessary 45 million were moved in the past month, bringing channel excavation to about 57% completion.

For the latest road closures and more construction information, go to FMDiversion.gov.

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.

For current photos of FM Area Diversion project construction, please contact Amy Wieser Willson at amy@neonloon.com or 218-535-5359.

The post FM Area Diversion September Construction Update appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

As the weather cools in the upper Midwest, many turn their thoughts to hunting or enjoying the last of the nice weather before wintery weather moves in. We asked Jodi Smith, the Metro Flood Diversion Authority’s director of lands and compliance, what opportunities there are and could be on diversion-owned land. Here’s what she said.

If you have other questions on the topic we didn’t cover, please reach out to us at info@fmdiversion.gov.

Can I hunt on FM Area Diversion land?

Not yet. There are dozens of active construction sites along the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel, so it’s simply not safe to allow hunting at this time. Once the work is completed, to include vegetation seeding, some areas will open to hunting. Not all seeding will occur before the targeted operational date of the diversion, so it could be another four years or so until hunting becomes a safe option.

What recreational opportunities will there be on diversion land?

As part of the existing FM Area Diversion’s public-private partnership contract, trails will be built along both sides of the stormwater diversion channel, stretching from near Horace, North Dakota, to near Argusville, North Dakota. Seven access points will be constructed to access the trails.

As of now, the trails will be basic and amenities will be limited to a few picnic tables, signage and a vault toilet. Along the east side of the channel, there will be a gravel surface that can be used for biking, walking or driving ATVs and snowmobiles. A gravel maintenance road running the length of the embankment also will be publicly accessible for activities.

How will the trails be accessible?

Seven identified access points have been planned:

• At the 38^th Street West and County Roads 16 and 17 crossings, along with the diversion outlet, there will be 10 parking spaces, a gated entrance, trail signage and trash cans.
• Crossings at County Road 81 and 52^nd Avenue West are designated as major trailheads and will include 50 parking spaces, trail and interpretive signage, four picnic tables and trash cans.
• The trails also will be accessible at the Maple and Sheyenne River Aqueducts.

Will there be more than grass and gravel for the trails?

As part of the FM Area Diversion project plans, there will be nearly 300 acres of trees planted in areas along the channel. Native seed mixes also have been identified for different areas along the channel. The seed mixes and tree varieties were chosen based on what will best thrive along different areas of the channel.

Is there more than can be done than the ‘basic’ recreational plan?

State, county and city officials have been discussing options to secure funding to further develop the trail areas, and MetroCOG completed a study showing some of the ways the area could be turned into a recreational destination. There’s even discussion of creating a state park in the area.

At this time, plans are still in the envisioning stage and a pathway to funding hasn’t been secured. The MFDA was formed to develop permanent, reliable flood protection, so any recreational activities beyond the basic paths must come from other organizations and groups.

The post Q&A: Hunting and Recreation Opportunities on FM Area Diversion Land appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

“We have reached an exciting milestone with half of the stormwater diversion channel excavation now being complete,” said Pedro Martinez, project director for ASN Constructors. “ASN Constructors is proud of the work we are doing for the communities we live and work in, and this milestone brings all of us one step closer to permanent, reliable flood protection. Work has been ongoing day and night, nearly 365 days a year, to get to this point, and we are committed to continuing our work to finish the channel and associated structures.”

Channel Crossings: All 19 road and railroad crossings that comprise the P3 portion of the project are under construction. At County Road 4 and 31, ASN Constructors poured the bridge deck for the combined crossing. Just north of the metro area, at the I-29 crossing, they worked on forming the bridge abutments and piers, and they also installed girders at one of the pair of interstate crossings. Excavation for the County Road 81 crossing also is underway. For rail line crossings, ASN built bridge piers and began constructing the abutments for the new line at BNSF Prosper. They also excavated at the BNSF Hillsboro crossing site.

Inlets: In addition to the 19 road and railroad bridges, ASN Constructors is building nine maintenance road bridges. The first, at the Lower Rush River Inlet site, now has the substructure elements completed and the bridge girders installed.

Red River Structure: The first gate is up at the largest of three control structures, and components for the second of three 50-by-52.5-foot radial-arm gates are being delivered. The contractor at the site also completed preload embankments on the east and west sides of the structure. They’ve begun driving sheet piles and h-piles for the eastside floodwall, and they are building concrete gage well structures that will house instrumentation for measuring the water surface level both up- and downstream of the structure when the project operates.

Southern Embankment: Earthwork continues on the 22-mile-long southern embankment where there U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor is installing the first precast concrete box culvert segments where the borrow ditch will cross County Road 16. 

For the latest construction information, go to FMDiversion.gov.

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. MFDA media inquiries may be directed to Amy Wieser Willson at 218-535-5359 or amy@neonloon.com.

About the Red River Valley Alliance

Red River Valley Alliance is the P3 developer for the Stormwater Diversion Channel and Associated Infrastructure (SWDCAI) portion of the comprehensive FM Area Diversion project. Established in 2021, RRVA partner companies include ACCIONA, Shikun & Binui USA, and North American Construction Group. As the developer, RRVA is responsible for the design, construction, finance, operation and maintenance of the stormwater diversion channel. Upon completion of construction, RRVA will operate and maintain the channel for 30 years. RRVA media inquiries may be directed to Tara Ekren at 701-206-3294 or pio@rrvafm.com.

The post FM Area Diversion August Construction Update appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

FARGO, ND (June 29, 2024) – The Metro Flood Diversion Authority has released the June construction update for the FM Area Diversion project.

This progress and other updates can be viewed at the June 2024 Construction Flyover video.

Work is taking place on more than two dozen components. Here are some highlights.

Channel Crossings: ASN Constructors has begun work on all 19 road and railroad crossings that will span the stormwater diversion channel. More than 500 bridge girders will be used to complete all the work.

Maple River Aqueduct: ASN Constructors continued to place concrete for the pier and abutment walls and the adjacent wingwall footings this month. They also have placed a temporary structure that will allow work to begin on the aqueduct flume.

OHB Ring Levee: Excavation work began this month on a ring levee that will protect the Oxbow-Hickson-Bakke community. The contractor will construct the last remaining portions of the ring levee system north and west of County Road 81.

Red River Structure: Assembly continues on the first of three 50-foot-wide radial arm gates on the structure, which is now 57% complete. Ames Construction also is placing concrete and fabricating the second and third gates.

Southern Embankment: Work recently began on reach SE-2B, which lies near the Wild Rice River Structure. R.J. Zavoral & Sons, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor there, began to strip topsoil, build an inspection trench, excavate material, and construct a portion of the 22-mile embankment.

Stormwater Diversion Channel: Wet weather slowed excavation this month, but ASN Constructors still moved about 400,000 cubic yards of material in nine separate reaches. To date, roughly 21 million cubic yards have been excavated.

Wild Rice River Structure: Ames Construction, a Corps of Engineers contractor, put finishing touches on the structure, including adding railings and ladders and painting.

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. More information is available at www.FMDiversion.gov.

Media Contact: Amy Wieser Willson

The post FM Area Diversion June Construction Update appeared first on Metro Flood Diversion Authority.