Keloland: Future of 10th and 11th Street Viaducts

https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/future-of-10th-and-11th-street-viaducts/

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)– Two essential bridges that have been around since the 1930’s are reaching the end of their operational lifespan and now are ready for a much needed upgrade.

“The bridges have served their purpose. They’re now ready for replacement in the next decade here, with 10th Street being the older one and then 11th Street following after that,” Sioux Falls Public Works city engineer Andrew Berg said.

Downtown leaders see this as an opportunity to better integrate the structures into the downtown ecosystem, while enhancing safety and accessibility.

“We can build a better bridge now and, support not only traffic efficiency, but, the business economics of it all and walkability and that the people safety elements of these bridges rather than having these massive structures cutting right in the middle of downtown, we can we can build them in a way that facilitates that,” Downtown Sioux Falls CEO Brandon Hanson said.

However, city workers are also keeping several other elements in mind while planning the new bridges.

“We got traffic calming, lowering the profile or the elevation of the bridges where we can, improving the pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and then also looking at ways where we can avoid impact to the adjacent, park system, “Berg said.

Some options have already been drafted for what the bridges could look like, but city leaders encourage residents to share their opinions on what they think should be taken into consideration when replacing the 10th and 11th Street viaducts.

“Every one of us, as a citizen of Sioux Falls, pays either sales tax or property tax. And we should have a say as citizens. And what those dollars are used for, I mean, they’re giving some clear ways for people, like on ramps, if you will forgive the pun with, traffic project, but, just ways for the community to actually, take ownership of Sioux Falls, and make something that is going to last ten years for our kids and our grandkids,” Hanson said.

Replacing the 10th Street viaduct is planned to begin in the year of 2032.
The 11th Street Viaduct is recommended to be replaced in 2036.