Panhandle advocates urge NDOT support for Heartland Expressway, press governor to fill commission vacancies

Speakers from local stakeholder groups used the public comment period during the May 22 Highway Commission meeting to press NDOT and the governor to sustain momentum on the Heartland Expressway and to fill recent commission vacancies.

Deb Kadier, chair of the Heartland Expressway Association board, thanked NDOT staff and the commission for leadership and said the group will continue federal advocacy for corridor designation and future interstate upgrades along the Ports to Plains Alliance. ‘‘We are part of a broader group known as the Ports to Plains Alliance…we feel our multi‑state organization is set up to have some tremendous opportunity,’’ Kadier said. She offered the association’s help identifying candidates to fill commission seats after several members had resigned or passed away, saying it is ‘‘critical that you have enough to have a quorum.’’

Commissioners responded with thanks and invited suggestions, noting that the governor’s office handles formal appointments and that the commission welcomes recommendations.

Annie Faulk, city engineer for Garing and vice chair of the Heartland Expressway, praised NDOT staff responsiveness and singled out the Infrastructure Hub as a resource that helped local governments prepare competitive federal grant applications. ‘‘I would really encourage the department to consider making that a permanent fixture because it has been absolutely amazing for us being able to feel like we can actually compete for federal dollars,’’ Faulk said.

Why it matters: local advocacy groups and municipal engineers play a long-term role in corridor advancement and federal funding pursuit. Their offers to assist with candidate recruitment could accelerate replacement of commission members and help preserve the commission’s ability to act.

Next steps: no formal action was taken; commissioners noted the offers and encouraged stakeholders to forward potential appointees to the director or governor’s office. NDOT staff also announced upcoming local public meetings on July 9 and in late July and the next commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 14, 2026.