Project construction leads told the board Sept. 25 that multiple road and rail crossings are opening as work moves into finishing stages. ASN Constructors reopened the northbound lane of I‑29 this month; the first lane of I‑94 was expected to open within weeks, and BNSF began track installation at the Hillsborough Crossing.
Tom Fooks, senior construction manager, said crews have moved about 39,000,000 of the project’s planned 45,000,000 cubic yards of material and highlighted work on the Maple River Aqueduct, spillway subgrade, aqueduct flume supports and fish-passage measures. F‑C4 work was producing roughly 15,000 cubic yards of embankment material per day, he said. The project team described progress on 16 road crossings reaching bridge-deck milestones and multiple embankment lifts nearing completion.
On safety, project staff reported two minor recordable events during the month; both were described as minor injuries and were reported for recordkeeping and follow-up. Board members were urged to maintain safety focus as the schedule tightens into fall work.
No formal board actions were taken on the construction update; staff said they will continue monthly reporting and provide notices of road re-openings and closures through the communications team.