WESTERN BUILDER - Two South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) projects won regional awards in the 2023 America’s Transportation Awards competition, created by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The competition recognizes state departments of transportation (DOTs) for making a difference in their community, with each project falling into one of three categories: Quality of Life/Community Development, Operations Excellence, and Best Use of Technology & Innovation.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Interstate 90 near Sturgis is still under construction, but the eastbound lanes are expected to be open for the upcoming rally traffic.

This stretch of I-90 has been under construction all summer forcing cars into two-way traffic.

But with the rally approaching workers are pushing to make sure both sides of the interstate are open.

“We’ve had over 40 days that have been impacted by the weather on that project, however, the contractor and our personnel have done very well at working extremely hard, especially the last couple of weeks since it quit raining, getting back on track again so we’re pretty much on track as to getting the road open before the rally,” Mike Carlson, Department of Transportation area engineer said.

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SIOUX FALLS (Sioux Falls Live) — It's not your imagination. There are more and bigger construction projects underway in the Sioux Falls metro this year than in the past. In fact, the volume of work is nearly three times as much as last year, said Harry Johnston, Sioux Falls area engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

“And in the next five years it’s only going to get busier,” Johnson said during an interview at the SDDOT area headquarters in northwest Sioux Falls, which is undergoing an expansion.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - For the South Dakota Department of Transportation, it’s been a long winter.

As roadways like I-29 and I-90 closed on Monday and Tuesday, SDDOT snow plow drivers set out on their routes and began what will most likely be multiple days of 14-hour shifts pushing snow.

Across the state, DOT drivers have had plenty of hours logged so far this winter. For drivers in areas such as Pierre and Aberdeen, it’s only been a few days since they were last out clearing roadways from Friday’s snowfall.

Craig Smith, the Director of Operations for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, said this storm is accompanied by temperatures that hover just around freezing, but warmer temperatures make heavier snow.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — The snow isn’t stopping in Western KELOLAND and much of the state is under a blizzard warning. With road closures, slippery streets and blowing snow, law enforcement is urging everyone to stay off the roads.

Another week brings another snowstorm to the Black Hills.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office has reported several cars getting stuck and sliding off the road. But for the most part, people are staying home.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D, (KELO) — Crews with the South Dakota Department of Transportation have been out working to clear the roads since this morning.

Curt Theisen with DOT has been out plowing roads all day. As you can see in this video it’s been a bumpy ride.



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The South Dakota Department of Transportation is working on a multi-phased Interstate 29 corridor study in southeast South Dakota.
Steve Gramm is the planning squad leader for the project…..

Listen to the interview here

As Jensen Construction Company of Des Moines, Iowa, constructs the $49.99 million Pierre-Fort Pierre Bridge project in central South Dakota, “The biggest challenge is building the drilled shafts with the top of the shafts below water, as river elevations fluctuate 3 to 4 feet every day due to a hydroelectric dam just above the project,” said Ryan Cheeseman, Jensen’s Project Manager.

With the drilled shafts as deep as 135 feet, Jensen put in extra hours, fine-tuned processes, and adjusted their work schedule to accommodate the changing river elevation. They finished the last of the 12 drilled shafts in December 2022. As crews build the rest of the new structure, they continue dealing with the challenges – and some opportunities – of working just 10 feet north of the existing bridge.

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PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. — No winter storm is like another in South Dakota, and the South Dakota Department of Transportation has to adapt to a vast expanse of conditions.

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WEBSTER, S.D. (KELO) — Crews in Day County rescued five people who were stranded on a snow-covered highway. U.S. Highway 12 Thursday morning.

According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the vehicle was stuck on US 12 near mile marker 339 — west of Webster.

The group was able to be rescued by the Webster Police Department with the help of a DOT plow truck.

The Highway Department says the westbound lane on US 12 is drifted over and is impassible. Officials urge people to stay home today unless absolutely necessary.

Read the full article here

SIOUX FALLS, S.D (KELO) As road conditions worsen, Craig Smith with the South Dakota Department of Transportation says they are already closing parts of the interstate and expect more to come.

“We would expect we’re going to have some interstate closures both on Interstate 29 and Interstate 90 really throughout the state in the next two to three days,” Smith said.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -As we know, with extreme weather conditions comes treacherous driving conditions.

And that’s what the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is anticipating with the upcoming snowstorm.

However, before you leave home, SDDOT suggests checking road conditions.

Depending on the conditions, a travel advisory warning could be issued. This warning means to not travel unless necessary. Roads could be icy, and there could be limited visibility.

Watch or read the full story here

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A major construction project in the heart of the state is nearing closer to completion. The Pierre-Ft. Pierre Bridge project will eventually replace the current John C. Waldron Memorial Bridge that connects the two cities over the Missouri River.

Crews are still working to clean up damage months after the May 2022 derecho, which swept a roughly 100-mile-wide wall of dust and winds over 100 mph across South Dakota.

The derecho damage has a multi-state price tag of $2.8 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information’s newly updated list of billion-dollar disaster events. 

High winds struck South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin, with 13 tornadoes impacting eastern South Dakota and 21 across Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota.

Read the full story here

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - In mid-December, Mary and Tanner Hilton of Pierre were getting ready to welcome their second child into the world.

Once Mary’s labor pains started, they encountered a slight problem.

“It was pretty white out at that point,” said Tanner. “I was reading all the broadcasts about how bad it was out and I wasn’t really sure how we were going to get to town.”

The day the Hilton’s new bundle of joy decided he was ready to make his grand entrance turned out to be one of the worst blizzards Pierre had seen in decades.



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WEBSTER, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A Department of Transportation snow plow in Webster has a new name, and it wasn’t one chosen in a contest.

Todd Hanson began driving for the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Webster when he was just 18 years old. After a 35-year career, Hanson passed away in the spring of 2022 after battling colon cancer.

Those who worked with Hanson knew him as a man with a wealth of knowledge and experience, but he was never one to want the spotlight.

”Todd was a heck of a guy. He was a man of not too many words, so you better listen when he did talk,” said DOT Maintenance Worker Mark Besaw.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Tuesday’s massive winter storm has meant significant problems for any kind of travel on many roads.

“I know the calls I’ve been on this morning, we’ve had multiple snow plow trucks get stuck themselves out there,” said Craig Smith, director of operations with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A portion of I-90 between Chamberlain and Humboldt remains closed Tuesday afternoon, with many other routes across the state designated with differing warnings and conditions. But how does the South Dakota DOT decide when a route should be closed?

“We do have a defined process,” said Craig Smith, DOT Director of Operations. “It’s a partnership with the Department of Public Safety, so between the Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation — they make that final determination when interstate closures are needed.”



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -The plow drivers across the state get behind the wheel to ensure the roads are driveable. Sometimes they go above and beyond.

“It’s not our job to rescue, but when we’re called upon, we go and do it,” says Jim Lolley, SD DOT Maintenance Supervisor in Murdo.

“To save these people they’ve never met before,” adds Jason Humphrey, SD DOT Pierre Region Engineer.

When a mid-December storm swept across the state, the hardest-hit areas needed to close. Lolley says once the interstates close, they check for vehicles.



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Transportation is emerging from its first winter test, a two-week stretch of heavy snow, blinding winds and freezing temperatures that prompted rolling closures on the state’s main arteries and left at times thousands of motorists stalling in blizzard conditions.

“Visibility was so severe,” said Mike Carlson, the area engineer in the Rapid City region of the state Department of Transportation. “I hadn’t seen it this severe in 40 years.”

One day prior to Carlson’s Dec. 22 conversation with Forum News Service, the crew in the Rapid City area had gone late into the night with rescue efforts on I-90, where about 150 vehicles were backed up in traffic between New Underwood and Wall, according to Carlson.

Though the entire strip of the interstate from Rapid City to Chamberlain was not officially closed until around 6 p.m. on Dec. 21, Carlson said cars began to add behind two vehicles that had collided near New Underwood that morning, and the first stretch of interstate was closed around noon.. 

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Snow on South Dakota’s roads has posed big problems for drivers this month. Craig Smith, director of operations with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, gave KELOLAND News on Tuesday afternoon an update on snow cleanup efforts.

“We definitely have a lot of drifting that needs to be pushed back along with a lot of roads that have ice and compacted snow,” Smith said. “Fortunately, we’ve got some warmer temperatures out there, so our chemicals, deicing chemicals will actually start working.”

Smith highlighted the central and northeastern parts of the state as sections where the most work remains...

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The snow fall may mostly be gone from much of KELOLAND but the winds are causing ground blizzards. Visibility is affected in most of the state.

Shortly after noon Thursday, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety said no travel was advised for all of South Dakota. The DPS sent a public safety alert to smart phones.

Interstate 90 from Rapid City to Sioux Falls will close at 5 p.m. Thursday. I-90 from Rapid City to Chamberlain was closed on Wednesday.

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Snow removal crews across the state have been busy for days, and so have law enforcement agencies.

With heavy snow and whiteout conditions, Interstate 90 was nearly impossible to drive on just a few days ago… even for plows.

“A lot of people wanted to bypass the interstate, thinking it would be safer to go around but we had more problems over there and a lot of stranded people,” Sgt. Keith Carlson, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, said.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Watch where you put the piles of snow. 

The South Dakota Department of Transportation sent a reminder to commercial snow removal operations and the public about the law regarding excess snow on highway right-of-way. 

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Interstates in South Dakota opened Saturday. But the South Dakota Department of Transportation warns, open does not mean clear. The DOT says several sections of the interstates and most state highways are currently ice-covered, slippery, and have snow covered shoulders.

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...Meanwhile, in South Dakota, the Bridge Improvement Grants or BIG program – established in 2015 – sets aside $7 million per year from funds generated by license plate fees to repair and replace aging local bridges.

Local governments are required to pay a minimum of 20 percent matching funds and have three years to expend the grant, noted the South Dakota Department of Transportation, while counties must have a wheel tax and a five-year Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan to receive a grant.

“The BIG program continues to be crucial for the preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement of local government structures,” said Joel Jundt, secretary of the South Dakota DOT, in a statement.

“The goal [of this program] is to enhance the overall condition of these critical assets that South Dakotans are dependent upon each and every day,” he added. “These structures provide the link that drives the interconnectedness of our state’s overall transportation system; while enhancing statewide economic development overall.”

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As the winter storm enters its fifth day, no travel is advised due to blowing snow and slippery conditions on most South Dakota roads.

As of noon Friday, Interstate 90 remains closed from Mitchell to the Wyoming border, while Interstate 29 remains closed from Watertown to the North Dakota border. 

Craig Smith, Director of Operations with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, told KELOLAND News there was no estimate for when the interstates could reopen as winds and drifts have created many problems. 



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The entire state of South Dakota was pounded by a massive winter storm dropping excessive amounts of snow across the state and making travel nearly impossible.

Mark Peterson, Aberdeen Region Engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, has had crews working around the clock to keep the roads safe.

Peterson says a lot of roads are still closed…



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Department of Transportation crews are rescuing stranded drivers in KELOLAND. Tonight the roads are so dangerous that no travel is advised across much of South Dakota and both interstates remain partially closed.

But people are still driving even in the hardest-hit areas and some are getting stuck. Roads that appear to be drivable, quickly become impassable.



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Tough weather conditions have forced road closures and no-travel advisories for most of the state. Even in Sioux Falls, drivers were having a tough time Thursday with the snow and wind.

Although Sioux Falls has been spared from much of the blizzard conditions the rest of South Dakota has seen, it’s still a mess out on the roads according to SDDOT Area Engineer Harry Johnston.



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Accumulating snow and strong winds are causing visibility issues across central and western South Dakota today (Dec. 15, 2022) as a major winter storm continues its slow progress from west to east across the region... Read Full Article Here

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — As sections of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 remain closed today, the South Dakota Department of Transportation has a reminder: Don’t use secondary highways as a shortcut or a bypass.

“Accumulating snow and strong winds caused the SDDOT to close sections on both I-29 and I-90,” Craig Smith, SDDOT Director of Operations said in a news release. “Motorists need to understand that while we cannot physically close secondary highways, in many cases these roads are in worse condition than the Interstates.”


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ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - With snow in the forecast for the next several days, snow plow drivers have a few long days ahead of them.

Aberdeen received just over four inches of snow Tuesday, but there was a break in the precipitation Wednesday morning.

During that pause of the snowfall, plow drivers were out early to clear the roads in time for the morning traffic, but by the lunch hour, the snow had begun to come down again.



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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — South Dakota Department of Transportation crews were involved with several ongoing rescue operations Wednesday night in the midst of a massive winter storm.

Authorities say they’re having a huge issue with people using secondary highways as a way to avoid the Interstate closures.

But not everybody is heeding the warning and it’s putting lives in danger.



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PIERRE — The official championship of South Dakota highway snow removal is taking place today in Pierre. The South Dakota Department of Transportation Snowfighter Roadeo will see 20 qualifying drivers from the four D-O-T regions compete in various skill challenges…Listen Here

HURON — A small group of interested landowners and residents met with the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) Tuesday evening at the Huron Event Center to discuss a proposed project on S.D. Hwy. 37 north of Huron.

Waylon Blasius of Banner Associates presented the information to the crowd as the design consultant for DOT on the project, currently slated for 2027. The project will entail removal and reconstruction of the highway from the intersection with S.D. Hwy. 28 at the north end of the project to Beadle County Road 14 on the south end of the project.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Railroad Board got a look Wednesday at a draft version of an investment guide that it plans to start using for analyzing funding decisions.

The $548,569.67 contract between HDR Engineering of Omaha, Nebraska, and the state Department of Transportation calls for a new rail plan and an investment guide.

HDR project manager Catherine Dobbs described the investment guide as an internal-facing document for state government’s use that complements the outward-facing state rail plan — “Sort of brother-sister,” she said — and replaces the current informal decision-making process on investments.....

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Full Article Here: https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/diamonds-are-a-drivers-best-friend/

Diamonds are a driver’s best friend

By Don Jorgensen – April 10 (10 p.m.)

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — We’ve already told you about two major road construction projects in South Dakota that will have a big impact on drivers.

Crews have already started working on a Diverging Diamond Interchange in Rapid City and prep work has begun for one at 41st Street and Interstate 29.

But those two are just the beginning.

Although you might find them confusing at first, you better get used to Diverging Diamond Interchanges.

Diverging diamond intersections coming to Rapid City & Sioux Falls

The state transportation department says there are already two more in the works.

The next one will be here at Benson Road over I-229. The reason? Increased traffic.

“It actually has quite a bit of heavy traffic movement because of the business corridor that it does supply in order to go to work, you know the Sanford and different businesses right off Benson Road off of 229,” South Dakota Department of Transportation Area Engineer Harry Johnston said.

Construction on that one will start next year

The state’s fourth diverging diamond will be at the Brandon exit along Interstate 90.

“The need really arises from the heavy traffic movement during peak volume hours there’s a lot of traffic in the morning and in the evenings that enter and exit Brandon so those traffic volumes warrant this kind of interchange,” Johnston said.

Highway 18 project to close section of roadway

Construction on that one will start in 2024.

Safety is the main reason behind these diverging diamond interchanges – because Johnston says they reduce the number of ways vehicles can collide by almost half.

“It reduces that conflict movement where traffic that’s traveling doesn’t have to turn left across lanes of traffic where you travel on per say the wrong side of the road or the opposite side as you typically do you’ll be able to make a left turn movement freely without having to cross traffic so it’ll reduce that impact,” Johnston said.

Johnston says they should also reduce the amount of time you sit and wait at a stoplight.

If the state puts in an interchange at 85th and I-29 south of Sioux Falls, that one, too, will be a diverging diamond.

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A detour can’t just be the shortest route around a construction zone.

It’s not that easy.

“It really depends on the type of job and location,” said Mark Peterson Aberdeen Region Engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT).

“There are different types of detours including over-width, over-height, and over-weight detours depending on.... Continue reading the full article. 

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Snowplow Brings Blizzard Of Memories

Yankton News BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net

WAKONDA — When the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) displayed a snowplow at her school, teacher Tina Lee saw more than a massive piece of equipment.

The Irene-Wakonda instructor watched her pre-schoolers marvel at the snowplow’s size and power. The DOT brought the plow to the Wakonda and Centerville schools as part of the Walk to School safety program and the “Name The Snowplow” contest.

But for Lee, the display brought a blizzard of memories surrounding her late father, Richard “Dick” Slowey, who worked decades for the DOT. Slowey, who passed away in September, first worked in Irene and then Yankton.

For Lee, the DOT visit offered closure after recently losing her father. The snowplow also symbolized his dedication to keeping others safe during miserable and even dangerous weather. The family connection continued another way as her husband, Kim, formerly worked for the DOT.

“For me, the (school) visit was very personal. My dad just passed away, and this brought back many good memories. It was just kind of a final farewell to him,” Lee said.

“The kids in my class knew my dad did that (machinery operation) for his work. When they could actually see the snowplow, it was just a great connection between my dad and them.”

Lee described the DOT’s visit to the Wakonda elementary school as a humbling experience for her. She used it as a teachable moment, telling her students not only about her own father but also the important work that all highway workers perform during their daily duties.

“Because they are so young, I kept it simple for the kids in my class,” she said. “I was able to tell them my dad worked for the DOT. He had to get up early (during threatening weather) because he had to get out on the roads while it was still snowing. He would plow the snow off the road so … we are riding on safe roads.”

In her story, Lee used the example of the students’ own parents heading to work or trying to take the children to school during bad weather. In either case, the DOT workers and others were working to make travel possible for everyone.

“The kids recognize the snowplow operator as someone who is helping them out, and they can make that connection with my dad and others who serve us,” Lee said.

——

Thanks to a new DOT contest, the recent visitor to the area schools had a name — Frosty the Snowplow.

Last winter, the DOT rolled out the first-ever Name the Snowplow Contest. People in each DOT region were invited to submit their names for the 12 snowplows that cleared the state’s highway system.

In the Yankton region, a Beresford student submitted the winning “Frosty The Snowplow” name. The second annual naming contest is underway and runs through Nov. 30. In December, the SDDOT will announce one officially named snowplow within each of the 12 SDDOT areas.

“The contest was designed to engage people across the state with the SDDOT in a creative way,” said Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt. “Safety on our roadways is our number-one priority, and snowplow operation and winter driving awareness are vital to keeping people safe.”

The snowplows had previously made appearances at Yankton schools, according to Tanya Liska with the DOT office in Yankton. This time, the plows were taken to the two area communities as part of “Walk To School Day,” she said.

The program promotes safety of all types, including walking, bicycling and watching for cars, Liska said. The students also receive safety items such as bicycle lights, helmet lights and slot bracelets that reflected and illuminated the pedestrian or rider.

During the recent DOT visit, the students had the opportunity to inspect and even get into the snowplow for a hands-on experience, Lee said.

“Because my pre-school students are littler, everything seems so big to them,” she said. “Here, they have this big piece of equipment. They could get into the seat and see things up high. They also saw the parts with the sand and salt mixtures.”

In addition, the DOT brought a safety message covering everything from using crosswalks to watching out for vehicles. The students also learned the meaning of lights, sirens and other methods of alerting the public about a dangerous situation and the need for first responders to move quickly.

Also, the youngsters learned about the importance of giving snowplow operators enough room on the road for their work and safety, Lee said.

The snowplow operators make many sacrifices in order to serve others, Lee said.

——

“I just remember it was sometimes hard for our family,” she said. “He missed a lot of my younger brother’s activities and Christmases with the family because he was called out to work during a snowstorm. He also had to sand a lot (on the highways).”

According to his obituary, Slowey grew up in the Irene area and returned after the military to live in his home area for 25 year.

When he was promoted to foreman, he moved to Yankton, where he resided for the past 29 years. In his role as foreman, Slowey arrived first at the shop during a storm to determine the weather and road conditions before assigning roads to his crew members, Lee said.

“They would go in before a snowstorm and sleep on cots at the shop if they knew they would be needed for a three-day blizzard,” she said. “They had to take their lunches so they had food while they were gone (on duty) and were separated from their families.”

But snow wasn’t the only challenge facing the highway crews, Lee said.

“When the Jim River was flooded and they had to close the roads, Dad and the others had to stay out in their vehicles (during the flooding) to make sure everyone was all right when there was water over the bridge.”

While Slowey made sacrifices, he also received a great deal of appreciation from those whose lives relied on him and other highway workers.

“He got a lot of ‘thank-you’s’ from people in the Irene area. He always made sure that Highways 46 and 81 were cleared and they never had to worry about the icy or snowy roads,” Lee said.

“They would say, ‘We know that Dick Slowey always has our back,’ and they always felt like he treated them well.”

——

As part of the “Name The Snowplow” contest, SDDOT has created snowplow and winter driving weather awareness coloring sheets, crossword puzzles and word finds for families and classrooms. Materials are available for download at https://dot.sd.gov/media/SDDOTKids%20ActivitiesBook.pdf.

For more information and to submit a name, visit the SDDOT website at SDDOT Snowplow Naming Contest - South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Student at St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Pierre among winners of statewide work zone safety billboard contest

Pierre, SD, USA / DRGNews

Jody Heemstra

May 19, 2021 | 3:53 PM

Read the story on the DRG News website

The South Dakota Department of Transportation is preparing to improve several miles of King Street in Chamberlain this summer.

The portion of road due for repairs, which stretches from the intersection of the street with Interstate 90 to the railroad bridge on the east side of Chamberlain, has been in need of repairs for some time, said Jay Peppel, the Mitchell Area Engineer for the SDDOT Mitchell Regional Office.

The regrading and widening project will be the largest road construction project for the SDDOT in the Chamberlain area this year, Peppel said, and it is expected to bring a higher level of driving quality and safety to an important section of road. While the work may cause some inconvenience at times, Peppel asked that drivers be patient with workers as they aim to complete the project.

“Just be cautious of the construction, and just be safe,” Peppel urged area drivers.

To read the entire story:  https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/traffic-and-construction/7027983-Repairs-coming-to-Chamberlain%E2%80%99s-really-rough-King-Street

From resurfacing roads to preventing ice jams: 6 road projects South Dakotans should know about

Joe Sneve

Sioux Falls Argus Leader

 

The COVID-19 pandemic stalled South Dakota highway work for a time last spring, but that didn't stop the state transportation department from completing hundreds of millions of dollars worth of road construction projects.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation each year budgets about $600 million for road work all across the state's 7,800 centerline miles of road, with projects ranging from patching and overlaying highways to completely rebuilding them. Safety enhancements on existing roads also get a share of those funds.

The Argus Leader this week talked with officials at the DOT about the major projects wrapped up last year and why those investments were made. Here's the run down.

Nearly a billion pounds of asphalt in Belle Fourche area

Over in the Belle Fourche area, the DOT used 433,000 tons of asphalt hot mix to resurface 130 miles of roads.

The bulk of that work entailed 41 miles of US Highway 212 and 49 miles of US Highway 85, north of Belle Fourche.

Mike Behm, the DOT's director of planning and engineering, said resurfacing a road with an asphalt overlay can extend the overall life of a road and stave off more expensive reconstruction projects.

"It's pay me now or pay me later," he said. 

'Huge effort' in Sioux Falls

Last year marked the connection of Interstate 90 to Veterans Parkway, the express route in eastern Sioux Falls that's been in the works for nearly a decade. 

Work started on the Veterans Parkway project in 2008 and has spanned the 7.5 miles between 57th Street and South Dakota's only east-west interstate system.

"The biggest one that we finished was the Veterans Parkway connection," Behm said. "It was really a huge effort, huge partnership with the city of Sioux Falls, Brandon and the counties."

The new highway, which partially runs along what used to be referred to as Highway 11 and Powder House Road, cost more than $121 million is expected to ease congestion on I-229 and spur new industrial activity in northeast Sioux Falls and Brandon.

Curbing curve danger

South Dakota's DOT was the first in the country to begin using what's called a "high friction surface treatment" to prevent winter weather crashes in spot areas. And last season 10 highway curves with a high rate of winter crashes in the Black Hills were applied with the epoxy and bauxite rock chips that make a road surfaces less slippery during snow events.

In all, 30 curves got the treatment, running the state about $1.3 for the materials and work.

The use of high friction surface treatment started in more southern states where it was used to keep vehicles from hydroplaning during heavy rains. That caught the attention of the South Dakota DOT a few years ago, and they quickly began testing its effectiveness for winter driving on Interstate 229 along the curve between the 18th Street overpass and the 26th Street interchange.

Behm said that resulted in a 80% drop in crashes during snow events there.   

"Our goal is getting everybody home and healthy every day," he said. "So we’re always looking for improvements that may not be rebuilding a highway but helping some of those behavior aspects."

Smoothing roads and drainage

A stretch of US Highway 14 near Ft. Pierre got a makeover with a $6.6 million project that saw construction span nearly 13 miles of road.

According to the DOT's latest road project report, three box culverts and nine pipe culverts were replaced, more than 30 other culverts were cleaned and repaired and 35,000 tons of asphalt concrete was laid west of Ft. Pierre.

Preventing ice jams 

Among the largest projects tackled by the DOT of late, the reconstruction of US Highway 83 between Murdo and White River isn't quite complete yet.

So far, crews have reconstructed and resurfaced three new bridges, including one over the White River that was designed to prevent flooding during springtime ice jams. The new highway will be smoother and flatter and include wider shoulders to benefit safety and drivers' comfort, according to the report.

In all, it's a $60 million project that spans 23 miles. Work is expected to continue through 2022.

Overhaul in Brookings

The Ft. Pierre-area project wasn't the only work done to US Highway 14 last year. Another multi-year project along the highway where it's locally known as 6th Street saw not only total road reconstruction, but also drainage improvements and storm sewer upgrades.

A $4.8 million expense for the state, the project also required a lot of cooperation with the Brookings County and the city of Brookings, Behm said.

"There’s a big community connection in all the projects we do," he said. "There are a lot of public meetings, landowner meetings and what the future of the transportation needs will be in the area."