News Release: June 12, 2006

GROUNDBREAKING KICKS OFF TWO YEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE PROJECT

BISMARCK, N.D. – A Groundbreaking ceremony was held today to mark the beginning of a two year project for the new Liberty Memorial Bridge for Bismarck and Mandan. Governor Hoeven, the state’s congressional delegation, state and city officials, in addition to local veterans groups gathered at the west end of the Bridge to celebrate the construction of the new Memorial Bridge.

“It is encouraging to see so many levels of government work together to bring us to this point where we can start work on the new Liberty Memorial Bridge. History was made when this bridge was built in 1922, and history is being made today as we break ground for the new bridge,” said North Dakota Governor John Hoeven.

Lunda Construction of Black River Falls, Wisconsin is in the initial phase of moving to the job site and establishing a staging area just south of the existing Memorial Bridge on the west end. The groundbreaking honorees who turned the first shovels of dirt near the old Missouri Valley Meat Plant in Mandan included Governor John Hoeven, Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, DOT Director David Sprynczynatyk, the Adjutant General of the North Dakota National Guard Major General Michael Haugen, Veterans Chaplain David Johnson, Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont and Bismarck City Commissioner Bryce Hill representing Mayor John Warford’s office.

Work on the $47 million dollar bridge is expected to expand into much of the area immediately surrounding the existing Memorial Bridge. As the work site is established, boaters and motorists will be alerted to changes in river navigation and vehicular transportation.

“Bismarck and Mandan are in a tremendous growth cycle and this bridge is an important part of the transportation system that will help this region grow,” said David Sprynczynatyk, Director of the North Dakota Transportation Department. “The first Memorial Bridge has served us well for the past 84 years, now we move into a new era with the new bridge designed and constructed to provide safe and reliable transportation for the future.”

The first Memorial Bridge was built in 1922 as the final coast-to-coast link of US Highway 10 and was the first Missouri River Bridge designed for automobile traffic. It was dedicated to honor North Dakotans who fought in World War I. The new bridge will carry on the tradition of honoring veterans with the new design incorporating five overlook areas honoring the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Traffic is expected to be shifted to the new 2,300 feet long, four-lane bridge at the end of 2007 with project completion to be in 2008.

For more information
Contact: Don Canton or Don Larson (701) 328-2200

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