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WASHINGTON - The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $2.08 million to the City of Minot for the 27th Street Grade Separation Project, according to North Dakota's congressional delegation.
The funding will support preliminary engineering and environmental work for a proposed four-lane overpass that would eliminate two at-grade crossings with BNSF Railway tracks east of the state fairgrounds, improving safety and reducing delays for motorists and rail traffic.
"Minot is an important rail hub for our state's agriculture, energy and manufacturing industries," U.S. Sen. John Hoeven said. "We worked to secure funding for this project, which will improve safety, reduce delays and strengthen the movement of people and goods throughout the region."
In addition, the Williams County Systemic Safety Project will receive nearly $8 million to fund safety improvements across 25 miles of county roads, including paved shoulders, upgraded signage, rumble strips and intersection lighting.
The funding is provided through two programs established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - the Safe Streets and Roads for All program to prevent roadway injuries and deaths and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program to improve grade crossing safety and travel efficiency.
"Infrastructure is important to keeping our citizens safe, and making sure goods and services get where they need to," said U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "At the end of the day, our infrastructure is only as strong as its weakest link. These investments will help strengthen North Dakota's communities, improve connections across our state, and keep commerce moving efficiently throughout the country."
The North Dakota delegation sent a letter of support for the 27th Street Grade Separation project to the U.S. Department of Transportation in May 2026. They wrote the proposed grade separation will remove an at-grade crossing that contributes to delays for passenger and freight trains and motorists.
"Advancing this project will significantly improve passenger rail reliability, freight mobility, and economic growth in Minot and the surrounding region," the delegation wrote. "The North Dakota State Freight and Rail Plan identifies this project as a priority for improvements due to safety concerns and frequent truck-train interactions. Minot is a key rail hub supporting agricultural shippers, energy producers, and manufacturers across the Upper Great Plains. The city's rail-served industrial park depends on efficient truck and freight train movements in and out of the BNSF yard. Grade separation will reduce delays, strengthen yard fluidity, improve first and last mile access for industry, and support the competitiveness of Minot's growing logistics and manufacturing sectors."