Transportation Coordination Delivers Results Liaison Role Strengthens Roads, Partnerships

Posted: Mar 31, 2026

The traveling public, oil industry, and agriculture community want an efficient transportation system no matter what roadway they are traveling on. They want to reach their destination safely, on time, and with no restrictions.

Since 2020, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has partnered with North Dakota State University's Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) in the Western North Dakota Transportation Liaison Program with the goal of providing a seamless multi-jurisdictional transportation system.

Since 2020, Matt Johnson has been the face of the program, serving as Western ND Transportation Liaison. Matt is a registered professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience working with state, local, and tribal agencies. That experience makes him a perfect fit for this position.

In coordination with the NDDOT, Matt focuses primarily on the state's four largest oil-producing counties and the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation to promote a uniform level of service for all road networks and identify multi-jurisdictional transportation issues as soon as possible. Matt attends county commission meetings, works with Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, and coordinates multi-jurisdictional meetings that bring all these agencies together. The meetings are essential for making sure that each agency understands the issues and challenges they each face. This coordination helps move projects forward in western ND. When agencies need answers, Matt is there to assist them in working across those jurisdictional boundaries.

Working across and in multi-jurisdictional areas, transportation projects require written agreements for any project to move forward to construction. As an example, on numerous occasions, Matt has worked with the various agencies and departments within those agencies to secure necessary signatures on agreements to move projects forward, ensuring that the road network is safer and free of restrictions. That is a win for road users in Western North Dakota.

Brandon Beise, Assistant Local Government Engineer with NDDOT said, "The Western ND Transportation Liaison position, Matt specifically, has been very valuable to the DOT. Matt is a recognized point of contact for the local/tribal agencies to relay information to and from the DOT. There have been noticeable improvements to the working relationships in western North Dakota."

The Western Dakota Energy Association (WDEA) and the Western ND Liaison collaborate and coordinate the Annual WDEA Roundtable discussion. The Annual WDEA Roundtable brings together state, local, and tribal officials, legislators, and representatives from the oil industry to discuss not only issues affecting western ND but also solutions to improve the transportation system. This roundtable assures that all affected parties are on the same page.

NDDOT, UGPTI, and WDEA are working together to provide you a seamless transportation system in Western ND.