KELO: Extra stop signs coming to Sturgis

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/extra-stop-signs-coming-to-sturgis/

Riders will be cruising into Sturgis a little slower than normal, as the city adds additional stop signs to the main roads ahead of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

“So we’ve just found over the years of doing it that the four-way stop seems to work the best. And it kind of allows for each side to take a turn and go. And that seems to move the traffic the best.” Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush said.

Temporary traffic lights and reduced speed limits will also help slow everything down.

“We’ve got eight of those throughout the Black Hills. Most of those are around the Sturgis area. Speed limits are going to change at several locations along I-90 in between Rapid City and Sturgis. North of Sturgis on Highway 79 and then east of Sturgis on Highway 30.” SD DOT Region Operations Engineer Tom Horan said.

All of these measures aim to slow traffic down and provide safer travel for everyone on the roads.

“We definitely have an increase in traffic during the Sturgis Rally, and with that comes an increase in crashes every year. The primary locations that we have additional crashes are in the areas with sharp curves.” Horan said.

Bush says without the added stops, traffic would be more difficult to navigate.

“It enables them a safe way to get across junction, whether they’re going to work, whether they’re going to the grocery store. Otherwise, if we didn’t put those up, they literally would not be able to get out and get into the traffic,” Bush said.