Work to Begin on U.S. Highway 212 in Watertown

For Immediate Release:  Monday April 4, 2022

Contact:  Bryce R. Olson-PE, Engineer IV, 605-882-5166

WATERTOWN, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) states that construction is scheduled to begin on U.S. Highway 212, from just east of U.S. Highway 81 to just east of 19^th Street East, on Monday, April 11, 2022. Work will initially begin off the roadway to prepare the business detour route for traffic prior to closure of the roadway. Depending on weather, U.S. Highway 212 between U.S. Highway 81 and 11^th Street East is anticipated to be closed to traffic by Wednesday, April 20, 2022.

 The project (including city utility projects) will reconstruct approximately one mile of Highway 212 from Highway 81 thru 19^th Street East. The project includes utility work, grading, storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalk, PCC pavement, lighting, and signal upgrades.

 A public open house for the Highway 212 project will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the Watertown Event Center, located at 1901 9^th Ave. SW. Impacted businesses are invited to attend to review details of the anticipated project schedule.

 Public meetings for the project will be held weekly throughout construction on Thursdays at 10 a.m. in the conference room at the Watertown Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 1300 11^th St. SE in Watertown. The public meetings, which will begin on Thursday, April 21, 2022, are open to the public.

 Thru truck traffic is being advised to use the signed truck route along the south connector route due to anticipated traffic volumes and narrowed lanes. All local traffic will be directed to use the signed detour along 11^th Street East, 4^th Avenue South, and Highway 81.

 The prime contractor on this $12.7 million project is J&J Earthworks Inc., of Milbank. The overall project completion date is Oct. 28, 2022.

 About SDDOT:

The mission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation is to efficiently provide a safe and effective public transportation system.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

Read more about the innovative work of the SDDOT at https://dot.sd.gov.

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