BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Two interstate highways run through the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area, Interstate 29 (I-29) and Interstate 94 (I-94).  I-94 travels east-west through the entirely of North Dakota, Minnesota and other states to the east and west.  I-94 is the most heavily traveled roadway within the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area per Metro COG’s 2021 traffic counts.  This interstate corridor plays a key role in national, regional, and local auto and freight transportation.

I-94 has a total of four interchanges which provide direct access to/from the city of Moorhead, MN.  However, of the four interchanges only two are full interchanges.  The interchange of I-94 and 20^th St in Moorhead is a partial interchange, providing access to/from the west only.  Westbound traffic on I-94 wishing to use 20^th St must exit at either 34^th St (1 ¼ miles east of 20^th St) or 8^th St/US Hwy 75 (1 mile west of 20^th St).  The lack of Interstate connectivity to/from the east on 20^th St is presumed to increase the use of nearby interchanges and increase travel time for some users.

The objective of this planning study (project) is to analyze the need and feasibility for a full interchange on I-94 at 20^th St, determine the traffic and travel time changes of a full interchange, and provide planning level layouts and cost estimates for interchange alternatives at this location.

Project Timeline

• June 2023 – Project kickoff
• June 2023 – March 2024 – Project development
• September 2023 – Public engagement
• December 2024 – Planned public engagement
• January 2025 - Draft plan complete
• March 2025 – Final plan adopted