North Dakota – The North Dakota Department of Transportation announced that on Wednesday, Nov. 26, traffic at Exit 161 will shift to a new configuration reflecting the permanent flow planned for the completed I-94 interchange, expected next year. The changes will most significantly affect travelers on eastbound I-94 and northbound Centennial Road/Bismarck Expressway.
To help drivers adjust, NDDOT emphasized paying close attention to the new traffic movements:
I-94 East
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Exiting: Two exits are now in place: 161A to travel south on Bismarck Expressway and 161B to travel north on Centennial Road.
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Entering: Northbound travelers should keep right to use the new slip ramp before the traffic signal. Southbound movements remain largely unchanged, with a left turn onto the southeast ramp.
I-94 West
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Exiting: No changes; the exit ramp remains in the same location.
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Entering: Northbound travelers should keep right to use the new northeast loop ramp. Other movements remain unchanged.
Drivers are urged to use caution this winter while adjusting to the new pattern. Construction is set to resume in spring 2026 to finish work on the southeast ramp, median curb islands, and inlaid pavement markings. Temporary traffic adjustments will be required during this phase. Once complete, traffic will switch to the permanent configuration, with final project completion anticipated by late summer 2026.
The I-94 Exit 161 Interchange project, which began in spring 2024, aims to improve traffic flow by eliminating two left-turn movements and adding right-turn loops for more efficient travel. NDDOT thanked the public for their patience and cooperation as the project progresses.
