The ND Senate agreed this week with recommendations of a conference committee on changes to SB2012, which contains the budget for the North Dakota Department of Transportation, and passed it unanimously 47-0 on final consideration.

The $1.6 billion biennial budget is among the largest in state government, up from $1.4 billion in the last biennium. Included in the budget is a $50 million loan authorization from the Bank of North Dakota to four-lane a 10.3-mile section of Highway 85 from Watford City south to the new Long X Bridge. Funding is contingent on receipt of federal matching funds for the project.