I-194 is the only 3 digit interstate in North Dakota. It was originally constructed when I-94 was built through the area. I-194 started life as a part of a 'bypass' route that bypassed a congested part of old US 10 that had, until that time, been the only connection across the Missouri River between Bismarck and neighboring Mandan. Former US 10 was, and still is, a somewhat chaotic travellers motel/fast food area.
Until the 1980s, I-194 ended at former US 10. I-194 was then extended south about 1-1.5 km and then east to form a south bypass road ('Bismarck Expressway') around Bismarck's south side, including a new Missouri River bridge. Harking to the highway 'heritage' of the area, it was numbered 'ND 810'. The Bismarck Expressway (it is a surface street east of the river) serves as a major east-west route across the city. It also provides convenient access to a regional commercial area including one of the largest malls in the Dakotas, located at the south edge of downtown Bismarck.
The interchange at I-194 and former US 10 includes an interesting mini 'flyover' ramp for traffic from SB I-194 to EB old US 10, going toward downtown Bismarck (carrying mainly Mandan to Bismarck traffic). Prior to the construction of the ND 810 extension, this was a sprawled out 'surface' intersection.
By the way, why the name 'Bismarck' for the city? In the 19th century, the government of Prussia (now Germany) provided 'seed' capital for the development of the area after the locals convinced them of their worthiness by naming their major city after their leader, Count Otto von Bismarck-Schönhausen.
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This page © Michael G. Koerner |
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