FM Area Diversion Releases Year-End Construction Update

December 30, 2025

FM Area Diversion Releases Year-End Construction Update

FARGO, ND (December 19, 2025) - If you combined the concrete, asphalt and riprap placed and the material moved for the FM Area Diversion in 2025, it would be enough to fill the North Dakota Capitol Building three times. The piling, if laid end-to-end, would stretch more than 42 miles. Those are just a couple of examples of the incredible amount of construction completed this year on the FM Area Diversion. The project, which will provide permanent flood protection for nearly 260,000 people, expects to complete major construction next year while shifting completed components to an operations and maintenance stage.

"It's been astounding to see the level of progress the past couple of years," said Cass County Commissioner Tony Grindberg, Metro Flood Diversion Authority 2025 board chairman. "We saw 14 bridges open to traffic this year, and we made significant progress on the two aqueducts, which are unlike anything else in the world. We also witnessed the Red River as it was rerouted to flow through the Red River control structure. These are major milestones on our journey toward reliable flood protection for the Fargo-Moorhead metro area."

That many bridges have never been built in such a short timeframe for the community. The asphalt used for the bridges this year would be enough to construct a 4-foot-wide bike path that stretches roughly 300 miles.

Grindberg highlighted the year's accomplishments alongside other project leaders in the newly released year-in-review video that can be viewed here.

With winter weather having arrived, asphalt paving and work on reaches of the 22-mile southern embankment wrapped up for the season. Construction continues, however, on the 30-mile stormwater diversion channel and the aqueducts. For the former, the frozen ground makes excavation of the Red River Valley's clay-like soil easier, while heaters and sheeting have made it possible to continue to place concrete at the aqueducts. This recent construction can be seen in a new drone construction update video.

"Having started work on this project when it was simply a concept in 2010 to now seeing construction more than three-quarters of the way completed is a rewarding feeling," said Jason Benson, MFDA executive director. "Many, many people have played a role in not only bringing this project to fruition but also developing the sophisticated engineering plans, acquiring the funding and financing, and performing the physical construction. We owe them all our thanks."

About the Metro Flood Diversion Authority

The MFDA is a permanent North Dakota political subdivision that is cooperatively implementing the Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion comprehensive project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The MFDA works in partnership with the Red River Valley Alliance in a public-private partnership as well as the City of Fargo, City of Moorhead, Cass County, Clay County and the Cass County Joint Water Resource District.