Construction Work to Begin on Red River Diversion Project

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says construction
activities will begin this week on the first phase of the $2.1 billion Red River
flood diversion project in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The Corps said Tuesday that Ames Construction of Burnsville, Minnesota is
sending equipment to the site near Horace, North Dakota, to conduct
pre-construction studies for the diversion inlet. The inlet will include a
control structure with three gates to regulate flows into the diversion channel
around Fargo on the North Dakota side of the river.

Minnesota and upstream opponents are fighting the project in court. The project
would redirect floodwaters on the north-flowing river around Fargo, but would
inundate farmland south of the cities during times of serious flooding.
Minnesota has refused to issue permits for work on its side.