The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that the preferred alternative will have no significant impact on the environment. The preferred alternative has been identified as Alternative B. This would involve realigning US Highway 85 and ND Highway 23 around the south side of Watford City on a new alignment. Beginning south of Watford City, the proposed US Highway 85 alignment would transition from the existing alignment approximately 3.2 miles south of the junction of US Highway 85 and ND Highway 23 and reconnect with existing US Highway 85 approximately 3.3 miles west of the junction. The proposed alignment for ND Highway 23 would begin with a connection to the proposed US Highway 85 south of Watford City and generally head northeast and connect with existing ND Highway 23 east of the ND Highway 1806 junction. The total project length would be approximately 13.3 miles. The preferred typical section would consist of a four-lane undivided roadway with a flush center median, which is consistent with the typical section that is being developed for the US Highway 85 4-lane widening project and other projects along the highway. This FONSI is based on the attached May 2013 Environmental Assessment which has been independently evaluated by FHWA and determined to adequately and accurately discuss the need, environmental issues and impacts of the proposed project and appropriate mitigation measures. It provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. The FHWA takes full responsibility for the accuracy, scope, and content of the Environmental Assessment.

The purpose of the proposed project is to route US Highway 85 around the City of Alexander to accommodate the increased transportation demand within the area (which is driven by industry traffic from oil and gas development in western North Dakota) as well as to maintain consistency with the proposed US Highway 85 corridor widening. The proposed project would improve the capacity on the highway as well as improve the safety on this segment of US Highway 85 to better address local driver and pedestrian concerns within Alexander.