Medora Roundabout Fully Operational as NDDOT Winterizes Pacific Avenue Bridge Work
Motorists traveling through the tourist town of Medora will notice a smoother and safer drive this winter as the North Dakota Department of Transportation completes key portions of the Pacific Avenue bridge replacement project. On November 19, 2025, the agency announced that the new roundabout at Pacific Avenue and Chateau Road is fully operational and that traffic is now moving on the north half of the new bridge structure across the Little Missouri River. The milestone marks a major step forward in a project designed to improve access to the historic downtown and prepare the community for increased visitation in the years ahead.
The Pacific Avenue project has involved replacing an aging two‑lane bridge with a wider structure that includes shoulders and a multi‑use path. To keep traffic moving during construction, crews built the new bridge in halves. This fall they completed the north side and shifted vehicles onto it, allowing demolition of the existing south span. With the shift comes activation of a single‑lane roundabout at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Chateau Road. The circular intersection eliminates stop signs and allows continuous flow, reducing congestion and improving safety for drivers approaching from all directions. Motorists traveling east or west on Pacific Avenue will now encounter a gentle curve onto the north side of the bridge, while those coming from Chateau Road can enter the roundabout and continue toward downtown Medora or points south.
The NDDOT cautions that the work zone remains active and encourages drivers to slow down and follow all posted signs and pavement markings. Crews have installed temporary barrier walls and a tapered median to safely transition traffic onto the new alignment. Flaggers or temporary signals may be present as construction equipment enters or leaves the site. Pedestrians are asked to use the designated detour route on Third Avenue, as the new pedestrian and bike path across the bridge will not open until next spring.
Final construction on the south half of the bridge will resume in spring 2026. Crews will complete concrete pours, install decorative railings and lighting, pave the roadway and finish the multi‑use trail. The entire project is scheduled for completion by mid‑June, well ahead of the summer tourist season and the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library nearby. Once finished, the new bridge and roundabout will provide more reliable access to Medora, improve flood resiliency and create a safer, more welcoming gateway to one of North Dakota’s most beloved destinations. Until then, the NDDOT asks travelers to remain alert, obey reduced speed limits and enjoy the improved winter driving conditions while respecting the work still underway.