North Dakota Department of Transportation’s Devils Lake Road Diet and Updated School Crossings Project enhances safety and mobility through a modern, safety-focused redesign of a busy corridor serving students, families, and the broader community. Prior to the project, the corridor relied on aging traffic control systems, including outdated signals and flashing beacons, while its four-lane roadway configuration created turning conflicts and safety concerns, particularly near school crossings.

The $2.2 million project modernized traffic signals and pedestrian beacons, reduced conflict points, and reconfigured the roadway to better align with current traffic volumes. These improvements also enhanced winter operations by addressing challenges caused by snow accumulation, which often narrowed travel lanes and reduced driver visibility.

Upgraded crossings near the high school provide safer access for students traveling to nearby schools, athletic facilities, and community destinations that regularly host youth and collegiate sporting events. Community members, including school staff, parents, and local business owners, have expressed strong support for the project’s safer, more predictable traffic flow.

By improving access to schools, events, and businesses, the project supports local commerce while reducing crash risk, emergency response costs, and travel disruptions. The improvements create a safer and more efficient transportation corridor for residents and visitors alike, enhancing quality of life and providing long-term benefits for the Devils Lake community.