BELFIELD, N.D.
A proposed expressway that would begin in Rapid City, S.D. and run north into Canada was the topic of discussion at a meeting in Belfield Tuesday night.
The proposed Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, a project officials hope will promote trade and tourism among other things, would be part of a larger corridor, dubbed the Great Plains International Trade Corridor, involving nine states, including North Dakota. The route would also go to Saskatchewan, Canada.
The GPITC is divided into three sections that cut across the entire length of the United States north to south: Ports to Plains, Heartland Expressway and the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway.
In western North Dakota, the TRE would run through Bowman, Belfield, Watford City and Williston.
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About 30-40 residents attended the meeting to hear what representatives from all three divisions had to say. Saskatchewan, Canada was also represented by Dennis Allchurch, who said a partnership between Saskatchewan and the U.S. via the GPITC would benefit both areas.
"It would be key to lowering costs, eliminating duplication of services and increasing trade and tourism," Allchurch said. "It's important to our economic interest."
Allchurch added that he believes Canada has the infrastructure to support the corridor if it should connect with Saskatchewan.
"Our economy is dependent on successful trade with the U.S.," Allchurch said. "The corridor helps us transfer products and keep our economy stronger."
Scott Flukinger, of Flukinger PLLC, said the corridor would increase the opportunities for economic growth.
"We're about giving a reason for industry to come in and invest," Flukinger said.
"The point of these meetings is that each little project's success means success for the nine states involved."
Canada is the biggest trade partner with the U.S., Flukinger said, and the corridor would benefit greatly from the partnership.
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Flukinger said that many small communities on the corridor route are similar to communities in North Dakota.
"They have the same concerns, the same economy and the same tools," Flukinger said. "It's an opportunity for leadership, to make new friends and new partners."
For more information about the expressway, visit www.trexpressway.com .
The Dickinson Press and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
