Federal officials have opened up a new round of funding under one of the many grant programs tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

As the multiyear initiative unfolds, North Dakota cities are getting an education on how to apply for funds. Since the law's passage, North Dakota has been awarded more than $3 billion, with investments in roads and bridges, water systems and high-speed internet.

Matt Gardner, executive director of the North Dakota League of Cities, said what is great about the package is towns and cities have more direct access to funds, instead of most of it being distributed by the states. It also means there is stiff competition.

"One thing to consider is, of the 355 cities in North Dakota, 306 of those are under a thousand people in population," Gardner pointed out.

He suggested smaller communities might lack the capacity to examine the dozens of programs and figure out compliance needs for grants. The National League of Cities is hosting "bootcamps" for local governments to help them become more savvy in applying. The latest funding announcement was for a pilot effort to help reconnect areas cut off from opportunity by past transportation projects.

Gardner acknowledged the Biden administration is trying to make the application process easier with free technical assistance but noted municipalities may need a few more tips on not wasting time in seeking grants that would not fit their needs. And they need to know if they can cover matching funds.

"This money isn't free. I mean, it comes with strings," Gardner emphasized. "If a city is applying directly, in general, it's going to be those local funds (that are also needed)."

He added several towns can work together on a single application with hopes of the state covering matching funds, potentially boosting approval chances. Gardner agreed with elected officials who said the infrastructure law will help communities thrive, creating temporary jobs along the way. His only caution was a potential spike in project costs if the investments collectively drive up demand for supplies.


get more stories like this via email

Communities in southern and eastern Montana were connected to passenger rail lines running from Chicago to Seattle until 1979. An effort to fund the revival of those routes passed the House but failed in the Montana Senate this week by a few votes.

The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority has garnered support from county commissioners, city council members and Montanans across party lines since its creation in 2020, especially in communities that could again become rail towns.

Jason Stuart, vice chair of the authority, called rural rail a "critical lifeline."

"Folks need access to critical health care services and other services and the only way they can reach them is by car," Stuart noted. "Passenger trains would just be such a blessing for all these communities up and down, throughout Southern Montana and southern North Dakota."

He added it would bring economic opportunities as well. House Bill 848 had requested $2 million from the state's railroad car tax to go to the authority annually, about half of its average revenue.

Opponents, largely with the freight industry, argued they should not be expected to subsidize passenger rail.

Rep. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, brought a late amendment suggesting each local government entity that is a rail authority member fund it with $50,000 annually.

Samantha Beyl, Rosebud County director for the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, said the payments are not practical.

"Especially the rural towns, I don't see how any one county has an extra $50,000 laying around to do that," Beyl contended.

A $500,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program helped support plans for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, mapped from Glendive to Saint Regis through Billings, Helena and Missoula.


get more stories like this via email

Law enforcement agencies are still trying to get the message through about the dangers and costs that stem from distracted driving.

A Minnesota police chief is echoing calls for people to realize that a text message can wait.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

This year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rolled out its "Put the Phone Away or Pay" campaign in hopes of convincing drivers to resist looking at their cell phones when behind the wheel.

Winona Police Chief Tom Williams said he feels this is still a pervasive issue.

"We've kind of lost track of the responsibilities associated with operating a motor vehicle," said Williams, "and we're so attached to our phones and social media."

Williams encouraged drivers to seek out safe spaces to pull over -- like a well-lit parking lot -- to answer a text or email, if it's urgent.

Along some roadways around the country, transportation departments have added texting zones, similar to areas for a stalled vehicle.

Last year, there were 29 deaths linked to distracted driving in Minnesota, up from the previous year.

Like most states, Minnesota has laws that require hands-free cell phone use when driving.

Car technology has improved to keep motorists connected while still paying attention to the road. But Williams said many models out there are not equipped with those amenities.

"And people aren't necessarily always going to spend anything," said Williams, "for aftermarket additions to their cars."

Analysts say some newer cars have too many technological bells and whistles that can overwhelm a driver, even if they're hands-free.

They say things like collision warning features might be making drivers too reliant on those aids, diminishing their safety instincts.

Federal officials estimate distracted driving costs Americans $129 billion each year due to property damage, medical expenses and legal fees.




get more stories like this via email

A new report has found some progress has been made to improve the nation's aging infrastructure, but a lot more needs to be done.

This week, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. It gives the nation an overall grade of "C," up from a "C-minus" in 2021.

Kristina Swallow, assistant city manager for the City of Tucson, credited the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, even as both have been targeted by the Trump administration. She said more improvements will require more funding.

"We feel it," Swallow pointed out. "If you get stuck in traffic or if you have somebody who is injured while they're riding their bike or walking to work, you know that the system isn't necessarily working the way it should be. We want to help make sure that when industry, local, state and federal governments invest in infrastructure, that they're doing it wisely."

The report showed just over half of Arizona roads are in either poor or fair condition. It noted $12 billion is needed to improve drinking water systems and $4 billion to upgrade wastewater systems in the state.

Swallow pointed out bridges are among the brighter spots in Arizona's scores, with fewer than 2% of the more than 8,500 bridges in the state in poor condition. She stressed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was essential to support maintenance.

"While Arizona has generally, I think, some of the better bridges in the nation, that additional bridge investment on a national level really helped some of the other states address some of their poor and failing bridges," Swallow observed. "As well as start to look at some of the 'fair' bridges and bring them back up into good repair."

Community expansion and climate change have increased demand for repairs. Swallow added some voters have noticed and supported initiatives at the ballot box in recent years.

"In Tucson, they've voted three times to invest in roadway infrastructure, in connections and greenways and in parks," Swallow reported. "Because they recognize that the community members in Tucson need to have roads that meet their needs."

And even if current federal infrastructure funding were to remain the same, the report added there would still be a $3.7 trillion gap over the next decade.


get more stories like this via email