PRELIMINARY/DESIGN PHASE
Phase MI-8/9: Burdick Expy
Update: June 2025
Minutes of Public Information Meeting
MREFPP Phase MI-8/9 – South Burdick Tie Back Levee
Minot Municipal Auditorium Room 201
Thursday, June 5, 2025
A public meeting was held to share plans with the public on Phase MI-8/9 – South Burdick Tie Back Levee, there was an open house forum which started at 6:30pm with the formal meeting starting at 7:00pm. Engineers from Houston Engineering attended and shared design maps with the public. The meeting had approximately 50 people in attendance.
Dave Ashley, Chairman of the SRJB, opened the meeting to introduce who the Souris River Joint Board is and the role they play within flood protection in the Souris River Basin.
The formal presentation gave attendees an updated look at what has happened with flood protection in the earlier phases of the MREFPP, Milestone 1 and Milestone 2. Phase MI-8/9 is the final phase for Milestone 2. Jerry Bents, Senior Civil Engineer, discussed the history of the flood plain and the insurance rates tied to FEMA regulations to the completion of the overall flood project and each phase removes more residents from the required flood plain. All the phases in Milestone 1 help provide connected flood protection for the residents of Minot. Completing these phases also helps remove 60% of Minot residents from the high-risk FEMA regulated floodplain. Once Milestone 2 is complete it provides an additional 20% of Minot residents protection from the FEMA regulated floodplain. Once Milestone 3 is completed it provides an additional 15% of Minot residents protection from the FEMA regulated floodplain. All of these projects are dependent on funding from appropriations within the state or federally, those dollar appropriations will drive all the timelines.
Kristen Lotvedt, Civil Engineer, discussed the specific details of Phase 8/9. She shared details on the earthen levee, flood wall, where the pumpstation and retention pond are located, and storm sewer and sanitary. Kristen showed project design maps and went through the animated flight design for the attendees to view and ask questions. She also discussed acquisitions and where those are located. She shared the larger design map and how it will look upon completion. There was data shared for the cost of the project at $52.8M and the cost share and financing of the project, with 65% State of North Dakota and 35% by City of Minot sales tax. A breakdown of the process was provided regarding USACE & NDDOT approval, City of Minot alignment concurrence, SRJB alignment approval. The goal for this project would be 90-100% design completed by winter of 2025/2026 with the start of project construction to happen in 2026 or 2027.
Q/A FROM PUBLIC MEETING
Does the low head north of the current Burdick Expressway bridge stay in place?
Yes, it will stay in place but could be modified in the future.
How does a retention pond work without additional flooding? How does a retention pond affect the size & cost of a pumpstation to the project?
The retention pond will be dry during times without flooding, except for immediately following rainstorm or runoff events. The additional of the pond allows for a reduction I the pump station sizing needs and overall cost reduction for the project.
With Phase 8/9 how much flood protection is created for the east side of Roosevelt Park Zoo?
There is not much protection on the east side of this area until Milestone 3 starts into construction. But it does free up resources to help build emergency levees because other phases of permanent protection have been completed.
What is the potential that the City Council or the SRJB would change its position on the current design plan and additional acquisitions that area already know would increase?
Not highly likely, usually when projects are at 60% design a lot of work has went into looking at all the options and this typically is the best way forward. We do seriously take into consideration the social effects of acquisitions and they are only looked at when absolutely necessary.
Will dead loops be changed in this area?
No, none of the dead loops will be impacted in this phase. There are some area dead loops around Oak Park & Nubbins Park that will be changed based on work being completed on MI-4 Maple Diversion.
What are the impacts on 5th Street SE while the cul-de-sac is being constructed?
There will be concessions made to make sure there is no reduction of services (i.e. trash pickup, snow removal, temporary water, etc.). The good part of this construction piece is the length is about 45-60 days versus years of re-routing of roads as in other phases.
What are the access options for 18th Street SE & 19th Street SE while the bridge is being built?
Two routes will be maintained for access for these streets. There may be some temporary closings off Burdick when bridge is being tied back into main road but that will be short term.
What options are there for restoring lighting at the Corbett Field & Roosevelt Park Zoo crossing (13th Street SE & Burdick Expressway)? There were many concerns that this is no longer a safe crossing without a light.
It is unlikely that the signals will be re-installed as part of the SRJB project, however, residents were also told that they could contact the City of Minot Engineering Department about their concerns, and the city can determine next steps.
Will the pedestrian bridge or access still be available during and after the project is completed?
Yes, there will be both a multi-use shared path and sidewalk added to the new Burdick Expressway Bridge.
Will there be access to the Burdick Expressway bridge while construction is happening?
Yes, the design and construction is for the new bridge being built to the south to happen while the current bridge can be used and then demolition can happen of the old bridge.
What is the timeframe for owners who have acquisitions pending?
CDM Smith addressed this process and how it typically works. The estimated timeframe from offer to closing could be 4-6 months but that process can vary based on each property.
Will speed limits and stoplights be evaluated on this stretch during this project? Many concerns with safety and the speeds people travel on Burdick Expressway and not heeding the flashing lights at the main intersection at 13th Street SE and Burdick
No changes to the speed limit or signals are proposed as part of the SRJB flood control project, however a traffic study is something that can requested from Minot Traffic Engineering department.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Phase MI-8/9 Burdick Expressway
urban flood control
Phase MI-8/9 spans from the south end of MI-7 in Roosevelt Zoo and south of Burdick Expressway East past 8th Avenue SE, where it will tie into high ground.
This project will feature a newly raised and lengthened Burdick Expressway Bridge, a road raise or closure on 8th Avenue SE, overbank excavation, concrete floodwalls, earthen levees, roadway changes, utilities, a pond, and stormwater pump station with gatewell. The earthen levees will be seeded and become a natural green space.
When completed, these phases will complete Milestone 2 of the MREFPP, which will remove the protected area from the proposed FEMA floodplain. All the enhanced flood protection projects currently under construction, and those under design, provide protection against a repeat of the 2011 flood event.
Phase MI-8/9 Preliminary Design Fly-Through
