Fargo Red River diversion passes US Senate

North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven says a measure that would authorize a Red River flood diversion project has passed the Senate.

The nearly $2 billion proposal to move water around Fargo is part of the 2013 Water Resources Development Act, which was approved Wednesday morning.

Authorization would allow construction to begin, but the federal funding would need to be appropriated each year to cover the construction costs, which would be shared by local, state and federal governments.

The water projects bill now goes to the House.

Hoeven calls authorization of the diversion "a big step toward the construction phase of the project."