Moorhead, MN

Moorhead, MN Infrastructure Assessment

Summary

• Weeks, not months, from survey to decisions—faster street improvements for residents
• 63 roadway miles scanned with LiDAR; actionable pavement condition data delivered by May 18, 2024
• City leaders moved from reactive fixes to a confident, defensible plan that reduces complaints and builds trust

Problem

Moorhead’s freeze–thaw cycles and seasonal traffic were accelerating cracking and potholes across neighborhoods, but the city lacked an up-to-date, consistent view of street conditions. Without accurate paving budgets tied to objective condition data, planning turned into guesswork and forced hard tradeoffs that were difficult to defend to taxpayers. Public Works often found itself reacting to complaints instead of executing a transparent, prioritized work plan, while manual windshield surveys were slow, inconsistent, and quickly outdated.

Solution

To change the pace, Moorhead chose Cyvl to rapidly survey 63 roadway miles using vehicle-mounted LiDAR and high-resolution sensors. Cyvl’s Infrastructure Intelligence platform used AI to transform the raw data into street-by-street condition scores, prioritized repair lists, and clear scenario-based investment plans. The city received defensible reports and an actionable plan—delivered in weeks—so leaders could schedule work, communicate timelines, and move money with confidence ahead of the construction season.

Impact

Within weeks of kickoff, Moorhead had a complete pavement condition dataset across 63 miles, delivered on May 18, 2024. Public Works translated the analysis into a clear, defensible paving program for the summer construction window, aligning crews, contractors, and budgets faster than in prior seasons. Residents saw quicker pothole responses and earlier resurfacing starts, while council briefings became simpler and more transparent due to objective maps, condition scores, and cost scenarios.

• Residents drive on safer, smoother streets sooner because crews can target critical segments early in the season
• Fewer 311 calls and emails as the city communicates what will be fixed, when, and why with clear data
• Town meetings run smoother with transparent condition maps and defensible prioritization
• Budget requests are easier to justify, showing efficient use of taxpayer dollars tied to real street conditions
• Work scheduling and contractor coordination take less time because each street has a data-backed treatment and timeline
• Potholes and hazards are identified and addressed faster, reducing flat tires and breakdowns