Since 2010, traffic growth in western North Dakota has surged due to the expansion of the oil and gas industry. Three intersections – in New Town, Mandaree, and Fort Yates – were identified on the 2014–2018 rural high-crash location list. Based on findings from a traffic operations report, single-lane roundabouts were recommended to enhance safety at two of these sites. Supported by the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes) and the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, the $11.5 million project was led by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Previously controlled by stop signs, the intersections were vulnerable to high-speed, right-angle collisions. Roundabouts now provide a safer, more efficient traffic solution by slowing vehicle speeds and significantly reducing the likelihood of severe crashes. The upgrades have improved traffic flow and enhanced safety for all travelers. Fort Yates resident Alice Bird Horse shared her support, noting that a serious crash involving her daughter in 2019 was the last major incident at the site prior to the roundabout’s construction; underscoring the project’s tangible impact on community well-being. The funding was made available through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program authorized under Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
America's Transportation Awards 