Peace Garden News

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a contract modification exceeding $13 million for R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc., based in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, to continue work on the Fargo-Moorhead flood protection project. The new funding will support construction on the Southern Reach SE-2B segment of the southern embankment, which is a central element in the area's long-term flood defense system. With this modification, the total contract value now approaches $60 million, and construction in Fargo is expected to finish by October 23, 2027.

Senator John Hoeven highlighted the significance of this development for local communities. “This latest funding builds on our longstanding efforts to deliver permanent, comprehensive flood protection for the Red River Valley,” said Hoeven. “For more than a decade, we’ve worked to secure support and move this project forward. Each milestone brings us closer to protecting homes, businesses, and communities across the Fargo-Moorhead region.”

Hoeven's involvement with the project includes helping pass 16 acts of Congress related to its advancement—nine legislative provisions such as authorizations in 2014 and 2016 and seven appropriations for construction costs. He also played a role in securing full federal cost share funding of $750 million by renegotiating the Project Partnership Agreement; this increased federal commitment from an initial $450 million.

The project marks several firsts for federal infrastructure initiatives: it is the first major Army Corps effort using both a public-private partnership split-delivery model and financing through a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan. Coordination among four federal agencies was required to ensure progress continued as planned.

Efforts were also made to allow simultaneous raising of Interstate 29 and excavation at the Red River Control Structure while resolving easement issues related to lands purchased with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.

These actions are part of a broader allocation totaling $437 million that Hoeven secured in 2022 aimed at delivering comprehensive flood protection for Fargo-Moorhead.