A bill that was “fast-tracked” to get $720-million to the state Department of Transportation for the 2013 road construction season is now law.
Gov. Jack Dalrymple signed the bill Monday in a ceremony at the state Capitol.
"It is really a true testament to the fact that this Legislature can and will move very efficiently and very nimbly when they need to," said Dalrymple.
This means contractors can start bidding for identified projects. DOT interim director Grant Levi says the money is definitely needed.
"That's essential, when you look at what has happened with the traffic here in North Dakota," said Levi. "We have seen in the last two years a 50 percent increase in traffic in western North Dakota. If you look at it on a statewide basis, the increase is 20 percent. Much of that is truck traffic."
The first bid-letting is scheduled February 15th. Subsequent bid-lettings are scheduled for March and April.