Approximately 4,200 vehicles travel over the Long X Bridge every day and a large portion of that is truck traffic from the oil and agriculture industries. Previously, when an over-height load hit the bridge, it would create lengthy closures and costly repairs for the state. These temporary closures resulted in detours up to 75-miles long, adding considerable time and cost for motorists. North Dakota DOT’s $37 million replacement of the Long X Bridge created a safer and more efficient passage across the Little Missouri River, replacing an old height-restricted thru-truss bridge. The new concrete girder bridge improves the overall travel experience on U.S. Highway 85 and is a key piece of a larger plan to make the highway four lanes from Watford City to I-94. The new bridge eliminates those issues, plans for the future, and adds a wildlife crossing just south of the project to make drivers – and nearby wildlife – even safer.
America's Transportation Awards 