North Dakota – The North Dakota Department of Transportation is embarking on an extensive construction project aimed at improving the Interstate 94 Exit 161 interchange in Bismarck. The project, which began in the spring of 2024, will continue through the summer of 2026 and will significantly impact traffic flow and infrastructure in the area.
This season’s focus will be on building a new bridge, demolishing the old structure, upgrading surrounding roadways, and constructing new ramps, with major milestones expected to be completed by November 2025.
Starting in early April, weather permitting, lane closures will begin on Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway. Initially, the outside lane of northbound Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway will be closed from Divide Avenue to Trenton Drive as crews work on temporary widenings at Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive.
By mid-April, southbound lane closures will begin, and crews will replace the existing concrete medians with asphalt. The lane closures on Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway in both directions will continue throughout the 2025 construction season to maintain traffic flow while construction progresses.
As part of the project’s ongoing construction, crews will be building the new Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway alignment, new I-94 entrance and exit loops, as well as a new bridge. Additionally, the intersections at Miriam Avenue and Trenton Drive will be upgraded with new storm drains, street lighting, and traffic signals. These improvements will cause lane closures and detours on both I-94 and Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway.
In mid-April, crews will begin placing the girders for the new bridge, which will require inside lane closures on I-94 in both directions. A protective canopy will be installed on the girders to ensure safety while work continues overhead. Lane closures on I-94 will vary throughout the 2025 construction season as work progresses.
By late 2025, the existing bridge will be demolished, marking a significant phase of the project. Traffic changes will be implemented during this process to ensure safety and minimize disruption. Final construction work, including cleanup and landscaping, is scheduled to be completed by September 2026.
This reconstruction project, which aims to enhance traffic flow by eliminating two left-turn movements and adding more efficient right-turn loops, will have a lasting impact on the region’s infrastructure. The NDDOT encourages the public to be patient during this essential project and reminds drivers to remain cautious while traveling through the construction zone.
