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1 <br /> <br />Plan Purpose <br />Cass County operates and maintains a highway system, which in conjunction with local, regional, and state <br />systems, helps to serve the transportation needs of its residents and businesses. The Cass County <br />Comprehensive Highway Plan provides the framework for development of the long-range highway and bridge <br />planning guidance for 2024-2028. The Plan describes system principles and standards, evaluates the existing <br />County transportation system, identifies future system needs, develops a maintenance plan, identifies funding <br />sources, and outlines strategies to implement the Plan. The Plan provides the framework for decisions regarding <br />the roadway and bridge infrastructure improvements necessary to develop a safe and efficient highway system. <br /> <br />Note on plan priorities and funding uncertainties: Cass County has received additional transportation funding <br />over the last 10 years. This funding has been greatly appreciated, but because of the unreliable nature of the <br />funding, this Plan sets priorities for how to best spend those funds if they become available. The 2019 <br />Legislature passed the “Operation Prairie Dog” infrastructure bill which was projected to add approximately <br />$7 Million to the county per biennium. Unfortunately, 2021-2022 Prairie Dog funding was not available due <br />to reduced oil prices and activity. Cass County did receive just over $6 million in Prairie Dog funding for the <br />2023-2024 biennium. Based on the current ND state revenue forecast, this plan does assume Prairie Dog <br />funding will be available in the 2025-2026. In 2023 the ND Legislature did approved additional transportation <br />funding through the Legacy Fund and Flexible Transportation Fund. We anticipate receiving $2.4 million from <br />the Legacy Fund in 2024 and every year thereafter. The Flexible Transportation Fund is distributed through a <br />project grant process which will announce the 2023-2024 projects granted a portion of the $43 million in <br />February 2024. We will continue to be proactive in identifying future projects and will be prepared if state <br />revenues increase. We will also update this plan as other funding becomes available from ARPA, ND State <br />Funding, Federal/State Grants, or new Federal Funding. Cass County will seek to maximize this funding and <br />have projects designed and construction ready. <br />Plan Updates and Proponent for Changes in this Plan <br />The Cass County Engineer is the chief proponent for updates to the Cass County Comprehensive Highway Plan. <br />Working in conjunction with the Deputy Cass County Engineer, Assistant County Engineer, County Road <br />Supervisor, Vision Zero Coordinator, and County Planner, updates will be approved through the Road Advisory <br />Committee and the Cass County Commission. <br />The five-year plan will serve as a living document that will be updated annually to maintain a long-range focus <br />while allowing for flexibility due to changes in construction costs, revenues, flooding, and other considerations. <br />The plan will be reviewed and updated in June of each year. The updated plan will be forwarded to the Road <br />Advisory Committee for review during the March rotational meeting. The plan will then be sent to the County <br />Commission for final approval after budget approval. The plan will provide the future project costs and will <br />serve as the basis for the Highway Department’s annual highway and bridge budget line items. <br /> <br />