It was determined that the Liberty Memorial Bridge that spans the Missouri River between Bismarck and Mandan was deteriorating beyond repair. An Environmental Impact Statement was prepared to address the issues and impacts.  Ulteig Engineers provided preliminary and construction surveying, design of approach roadways, including the alignment and gradeline of the bridge, multi-use trails, utilities, construction phasing, traffic signals, lighting, signing, pavement marking, park and plaza concepts at each end, and monitoring of ground movement. NDDOT selected a consulting team consisting of HDR and Ulteig Engineers, along with two architectural firms.

Design challenges that Ulteig overcame during the project included roadway alignment to allow for traffic during construction, a grade line to meet clearances for the Coast Guard and the Lewis and Clark Riverboat navigational requirements, and preservation of utilities that are carried along the bridge.

The existing Liberty Memorial Bridge was constructed in 1922 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The new structure will consist of four lanes and a multi-use trail with lookout areas containing insignias of the five branches of the armed forces.  The bridge is currently under construction and scheduled to be open to traffic in the Spring of 2008.