This episode of the Living in McKenzie County Podcast features Watford City Engineer, Justin Smith, and McKenzie County Engineering Director, Grace Demars. They join host, Vawnita Best, to explain how city and county capital improvement plans (CIP) are developed, prioritized, funded, and communicated to the public, including the multi-year planning, design, and right-of-way work required before construction begins. They also take a look ahead at major 2026 construction activity including ND DOT Highway 85 work, county road reconstructions, and projects in Grassy Butte and Keene.

00:00 Welcome

01:07 Meet the Engineers

03:59 Why Capital Improvements Matter

05:38 County CIP Public Input

09:05 Where to Find the CIP

10:00 City CIP Planning Cycle

13:19 Funding and Long Lead Times

19:05 County Roads and Industry Needs

24:21 Preventive Maintenance and Safety

28:23 City Facilities and 2040 Plan

33:04 City County Collaboration

37:30 Shared Water Infrastructure

39:40 Boomtown Growth Pressures

41:24 Replacing Aging Utilities

45:06 Funding Catch Up Projects

46:44 City Work Disruptions 2026

49:01 Highway 85 Construction

50:36 County Roads And Bridges

52:32 Townships Street Upgrades

55:22 Costs And Redevelopment Plans

58:33 County CIP And Public Input

01:07:05 More Projects And Wrap Up

McKenzie County Capital Improvement Plan: https://mckenziecountynd.gov/capital-improvement-plan/

City of Watford City Capital Improvement Plan: https://cityofwatfordcity.gov/2040-infrastructure-master-planning/