Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

Event Proceedings
2026 North Dakota Transportation Conference

Mar 10-11, 2026 – The two-day annual conference in Bismarck, hosted by the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) in partnership with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI), brought together more than 1,000 transportation professionals from across the state and region. The event included keynote remarks from author Rick Denley, breakout sessions on topics such as infrastructure, roadway safety, and rural transit development, and included opportunities for networking with fellow attendees and vendors alike.

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Presentations

TitlePresenter
Opening Remarks [Video](opens in a new tab)Matt Linneman, NDDOT
Chateau Road Reconstruction – Medora, ND [Video](opens in a new tab)Jon Bach, KLJ Engineering;
Chad Frisinger, NDDOT;
Adam McGill, KLJ Engineering
Revenge of the Planners: A New Hope for Coordinated Communities [Video](opens in a new tab)Will Hutchings, NDDOT;
Isak Johnson, City of Bismarck;
Stephen Larson, Bismarck-Mandan MPO;
Dave Sweeney, SRF Consulting;
Dave Wiosna, Interstate Engineering
NDDOT Approaches to Historic Bridge Preservation [Video](opens in a new tab)Paul Demers, NDDOT;
Jesse Kadrmas, NDDOT;
Bryan Tykwinski, KLJ Engineering
32nd Ave South Reconstruction – Underground Utility Challenges [Video](opens in a new tab)Josh Olson, Apex Engineering;
James Mickelson, Apex Engineering
ASTM C595 Cements: Concrete Prescriptive VS Performance Based Specifications [Video](opens in a new tab)Manuel Zamora, Amrize Cement
Planning a Sustainable Transportation Growth Plan [Video](opens in a new tab)Joe Devore, KLJ Engineering;
Jamie Olson, KLJ Engineering;
Joshua Skluzacek, City of Dickinson
The Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Interstate Interface [Video](opens in a new tab)Mike Bittner, Bolton & Menk
NDDOT’s New Geotechnical Design Manual – What to Know and How to Use It [Video](opens in a new tab)Colter Schwagler, NDDOT;
David Vara, Shannon & Wilson
Assessing Condition of Rehabilitated Concrete Pavement with Slab Fracturing and Asphalt Overlay Using Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors [Video](opens in a new tab)Ying Huang, NDSU | UGPTI
Pavement Rehabilitation: Different Levels and Remediation Methods and Current National Industry Recommendations [Video](opens in a new tab)Nick Davis, International Grooving & Grinding Association
Advancing Weigh-In-Motion Systems for Vehicle Weight and Wheel Position Prediction [Video](opens in a new tab)Ying Huang, NDSU | UGPTI
Keynote – Reinvent Yourself: Be Legendary [Video](opens in a new tab)Rick Denley, Peak Performance Leadership Services Inc.
Partnership Contracts with Local Government [Video](opens in a new tab)Dana Larsen, Ward County;
Jim Neubauer, City of Mandan
Scour Smart: Innovative Risk Based Monitoring to Protect North Dakota Bridges [Video](opens in a new tab)Matthew Luger, NDDOT
From CAD to Construction: How OnStation Partners with NDDOT [Video](opens in a new tab)Patrick Held, NDDOT;
Ward Zerbe, OnStation
Autonomy for Transportation Infrastructure Monitoring and Construction [Video](opens in a new tab)Sattar Dorafshan, UND
Quality Assurance in Concrete Pavement Design [Video](opens in a new tab)Luke McHugh, National Ready Mix Concrete Association
Images from Below, Direct Decisions from Above [Video](opens in a new tab)Kyle Nicks, Collins Engineering;
Aislyn Ryan, Collins Engineering
Indirect Cost Rates and Consulting Projects [Video](opens in a new tab)Chad Taylor, NDDOT;
Emily Ulmen, NDDOT
The ND Moves Statewide Active and Public Transportation Plan [Video](opens in a new tab)Dave Leingang, NDDOT;
Spencer Ulvestad, NDDOT
Common Research and Implementation Efforts Between Minnesota and North Dakota [Video](opens in a new tab)Amy Beise, NDDOT;
Curt Dunn, NDDOT;
Ben Worel, MNDOT
ADA Transition Plans: Current Requirements [Video](opens in a new tab)Stacy Johnson, SRF Consulting;
Joseph Kapper, SRF Consulting
Concrete Placement for the Engineer & Technician [Video](opens in a new tab)Gregory Johnson, Terracon
Governor’s Address [Video](opens in a new tab)Governor Kelly Armstrong
Awards Ceremony [Video](opens in a new tab) 
Safety Has Always Been Our First Priority – Saving Lives in the 1920s and 1930s [Video](opens in a new tab)Bennett Kubischta, NDDOT
Root Cause Analysis: Practical Application for Serious Incidents/Accidents [Video](opens in a new tab)Matt Maresh, NDDOT
Map the Message: Telling Your Story Through GIS [Video](opens in a new tab)Stephanie Weiand, NDDOT;
Jerame Novak, NDDOT
Exit 161 Overpass: Modified SPUI Design and Construction [Video](opens in a new tab)Joe Devore, KLJ Engineering;
Jared Loegering, NDDOT;
Brian Raschke, NDDOT;
Bernie Southam, NDDOT;
Sam Welch, NDDOT
Test Strips in North Dakota [Video](opens in a new tab)Tyler Wollmuth, NDDOT
Quick Builds – A Guide to Safety Projects to Quickly Implement in Your Community [Video](opens in a new tab)Jon Markt, HDR Inc.
Innovations and Pavement Density [Video](opens in a new tab)Aaron Perez, NDDOT
Keeping Talent on the Road: Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce [Video](opens in a new tab)Michelle Blakeman, ND Office of Management and Budget
Safe Streets, Vibrant Communities: Leveraging Planning for Safer Transportation Systems [Video](opens in a new tab)Cody Christianson, Bolton & Menk;
Blue Weber, Bolton & Menk
Strategic Engagement: Turning Public Involvement into Lasting Value [Video](opens in a new tab)Jamie Olson, KLJ Engineering
Highways and Flyways: When Wildlife Meets the Road [Video](opens in a new tab)Hanna Edens, NDDOT;
Wyatt Mack, NDDOT;
Karliegh Wattier, NDSU
Thin Asphalt Pavements [Video](opens in a new tab)Travis Walbeck, NCAT
PEL in Practice: Accelerating Project Delivery in North Dakota [Video](opens in a new tab)Theresa Maahs, Stantec
Scenario Planning and the NDDOT [Video](opens in a new tab)Stewart Milakovic, NDDOT
When the River Meets the Road: Leveraging Nature Based Design Approaches for Transportation Projects [Video](opens in a new tab)Paige Baker, Stantec
Activation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Data [Video](opens in a new tab)Dan Farnsworth, FM Metro COG;
Aiden Jung, FM Metro COG;
Stephen Larson, Bismarck-Mandan MPO;
Daniel Legere, Eco-Counter;
Kimberly Riepl, Bismarck-Mandan MPO
Reflection of Inspection Data Collection: A Case Study in Innovative Inspection – Note Taking Methodologies [Video](opens in a new tab)Jeffrey Pfeffer, Collins Engineering;
Tanner Wild, Collins Engineering
Mat Defects and How To Fix It – Cold Weather Paving [Video](opens in a new tab)Bryce Wuori, Pavewise
Engineering and Virtue Ethics [Video](opens in a new tab)Dennis Cooley, NDSU | Northern Plains Ethics Institute
To Provide and Produce with Drones [Video](opens in a new tab)Tristan Sanderson, Collins Engineering;
Brian Schroeder, Collins Engineering