Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven has announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract worth nearly $20 million to support flood protection construction in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The funding is part of a larger $437 million award secured by Hoeven in 2022. The specific allocation, amounting to $18,689,731, is designated for the Southern Embankment Reach (SE-3) and related work, with HSG Park Joint Venture 2, LLC of Harvey, North Dakota as the contractor.

“This first-in-the-nation project continues to progress with this new nearly $20 million contract that supports the construction of the southern embankment and other critical flood protection efforts in the Fargo-Moorhead region,” said Hoeven. “We will continue working to ensure this comprehensive flood protection project is fully funded, as our previous efforts have been vital in advancing the project while minimizing local costs and keeping construction on schedule.”

The announcement follows several initiatives led by Hoeven:

1. Passing 16 acts of Congress which include nine legislative provisions like project authorization in 2014 and new construction start authorization in 2016.

2. Securing seven separate appropriations for funding the project's construction.

3. Fully funding a $750 million federal cost share after renegotiating an increase from an initial $450 million commitment.

4. Advancing this as a pioneering Army Corps project using a public-private partnership model and a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan.

5. Coordinating across four federal agencies.

6. Providing resources and flexibility for concurrent projects such as raising I-29 and beginning excavation of the Red River Control Structure.

7. Resolving easement issues on lands purchased with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding to allow an alternative route for the project.