Transportation Day planned for Oct. 26 in Williston

The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce will co-host a Transportation Day Thursday, Oct. 26 to celebrate the completion of Sloulin Field International Airport and the pending completion of both 11th Street projects, from Main to Ninth Avenue West.

The airport portion of the celebration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Sloulin Field International Airport. “At 10 a.m., Sen. Byron Dorgan, (D- N.D.) will speak at the dedication and ribbon cutting of the airport,” said Diane Hagen, executive director of the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Miss North Dakota Annette Olson will sing the National Anthem. The event will be marked by special guest, Jack Daniels, a long-time supporter of the airport.”

She said Williston Airport Manager Rick Marburger and Don Loomer of Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson are coordinating the functions at the Sloulin Field.

Marburger said there have been $4 million in improvements to the airport in recent years, including the new terminal, ramp, and infrastructure of the parking area and access road.

He said North Dakota Aeronautics Commissioner Gary Ness is also expected to attend the festivities.

Marburger said the improvements have impacted boardings at Sloulin Field. “It has definitely helped boost them up considerably,” he said.

He said efforts continue on obtaining a third flight for the city. “We're working on that.” He said the city is teaming with the Dickinson Airport in finding the additional flight. Dickinson is in the process of rebidding for an Essential Air Service grant. It has received the grant to help maintain its current two flights. Williston and Dickinson share the same flights now, which connect to Denver.

Williston has helped foot some of the local share of the grant with Dickinson in the past. However, Marburger does not know if it will be necessary to assist Dickinson during this bidding round.

“We're hoping for another round-trip flight because we are so busy,” he said.

Refreshments will be served at the airport until 4 p.m.

Part two of Transportation Day moves to the 11th Street project. “Former 11th Street business operators Nadine Chapman, Helen Kalil and Carol Lynch will be there for the 10:45 a.m. ribbon cutting,” said Hagen. “From 11 a.m. until noon, there will be brats, burgers and sodas. There will be open seating in the Country Floral area for the public. Miss North Dakota Annette Olson also will sing.”

Over $1.23 million in improvements have been made on the city's portion of the 11th Street project from Second Avenue to Ninth Avenue West. Work included asphalt, sewer and water line replacement, and curb and gutter work.

From Main to Second Avenue, the North Dakota Department of Transportation was responsible for $998,901 in work costs. Montana Dakota Utilities also buried some of its lines in front of Harmon Park. Joel Wilt, assistant district engineer for the Williston office of the North Dakota Department of Transportation said that road should reopen to traffic within the week. More details will be given about the 11th Street project in Friday's edition.

“We are doing this to celebrate the good things in our community,” Hagen explained. “The airport is a big thing, and opening the streets to drivers is important.”

She said effective modes of travel is important to safely move our people about, and to get goods in and out of the region. This is particularly true with Williston being in such a northern location in the state.

Hagen said the dedication to 33 more miles of work completed on four-laning U.S. Highway 2, and the railroad also play important roles in our daily functions. A completed four-lane between Williston and Minot is scheduled to completely open in the fall of 2008. The Williston Area Chamber of Commerce recently participated in the dedication of the widened highway between Tioga and Palermo.

With more industry and oil activity expected on the horizon, safe and convenient traffic will prove even more important, Hagen said.

LeAnn Eckroth can be reached at leckroth@willistonherald.com.