SDDOT Cautions Motorists about Using Secondary Highways During Winter Storm
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022
Contact: Craig Smith, Director of Operations, 605-773-5155
PIERRE, S.D. – Due to the continued impact of the strong winter storm system moving through the state, additional closures on Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 were implemented on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.
“Accumulating snow and strong winds caused the SDDOT to close sections on both I-29 and I-90,” said Craig Smith, SDDOT Director of Operations. “Motorists need to understand that while we cannot physically close secondary highways, in many cases these roads are in worse condition than the Interstates.”
- SD511 shows No Travel Advisories posted on almost all secondary highways throughout central and western South Dakota.
- Several highways are listed as “Road Impassable” on SD511 such as portions of S.D. Highways 44, 63, 53, 49, and U.S. Highways 18 and 83. When a road is listed as “Road Impassable”, travel on the road segment is physically impossible typically due to widespread deep snow and drifts.
- As the system continues to advance through the state, road conditions on secondary highways in eastern counties are expected to worsen.
“We’ve had countless vehicles become stuck and stranded on secondary state highways in the motorist’s attempt to avoid an Interstate closures,” said Smith. “Stranded vehicles create personal risk for the motorist and extreme hazards for snowplow operators. Ultimately, as DOT personnel assist with removing stranded vehicles, plow operations are delayed.”
At this point, as this complex storm system continues to cause freezing rain, snow, and sustained high wind, the SDDOT asks that motorists please avoid travel.
Safety on the roadways, for plow operators and the traveling public, is the number one priority for both DOT and DPS. Please use available resources for travel planning over the next few days. For the latest on road and weather conditions, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.
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