FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Members of Congress from both sides of the Red River of eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota are asking President Barack Obama to include $30 million in his next budget for work on a river diversion project in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

The request is for Obama to set aside the money for planning, engineering and design work on the project to provide long-term flood protection for the metropolitan area.

The letter was signed by North Dakota Sens. Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Rep. Rick Berg; and Minnesota Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Collin Peterson.

Fargo-Moorhead has battled major spring flooding for three straight years. A river diversion is expected to cost $1.8 billion. The project has met opposition from several communities downstream on the north-flowing river.

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