FM Area Diversion October Construction Update

October 27, 2025

FM Area Diversion October Construction Update

FARGO, ND (October 24, 2025) - The first train crossed over the FM Area Diversion's stormwater diversion channel this week, marking a new milestone. The BNSF Hillsboro bridge over the channel is one of 19 road and rail crossings being constructed.

Watch the first train pass over the channel and see other highlights of work being done in the new drone construction update video at https://youtu.be/j-nBR0iJOto?si=p8Jz9YmN3SCwBN69.

Authority Administration Building: ASN Constructors completed the concrete foundations and slab-on-grade for the building, which will house the Metro Flood Diversion Authority in a position to monitor project operations. They also began erecting structural steel to frame the building.

Crossings: In addition to work on the BNSF crossing, crews have been busy at the I-94 bridge over the channel this month. Passing lanes have now opened in both directions. Earthwork and paving operations continue in the driving lanes and ramp connections. ASN Constructors is now removing the bypass lanes in anticipation of fully opening the area to traffic in coming weeks.

Just south of I-94, at the 38^th Street crossing, ASN shifted traffic to the newly constructed road alignments early this month, making way for remaining utility relocation work and earthwork at the crossing's north approach. The 38^th Street crossing is yet another anticipated to fully open to traffic in the coming weeks.

Red River Structure: Ames Construction, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractor for the component, has reached 90% completion on the gated control structure. This month, they completed the west floodwall bridge deck and established its permanent connection to the southern embankment. Additional newly completed infrastructure on the west side of the site includes a permanent system of maintenance roads, the structure's west crane pad, the permanent electrical utility and a system of electrical conduits and conductors, which are now installed and delivering permanent power to the control building atop the structure's west pier.

Sheyenne River Aqueduct: Piling and concrete work continues at the aqueduct, where the first completed segments of the flume's elevated slab were done this month. Additionally, the first portions of the bypass conduits that flank the flume were completed. The bypass conduits are unique features of the aqueduct's design and will be used to divert and carry Sheyenne River flows in the event maintenance activity is necessary within the aqueduct's flume.

Southern Embankment: Work on the Minnesota side of the 22-mile earthen levee continued this month. In Reach SE-5, the contractor made progress with the cast-in-place concrete box culvert structure that will be placed where Wolverton Creek crosses the embankment. In recent weeks, the contractor installed sheet pile cut-off walls at both the upstream and downstream ends of the structure, and they're now forming and placing concrete for the box culvert's floor and walls.

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.