KOTA: SDDOT names two women to 2026 Transportation Hall of Honor class

https://www.kotatv.com/2026/06/27/sddot-names-two-women-2026-transportation-hall-honor-class/

Two South Dakota women whose careers have helped shape the state’s transportation system have been selected for induction into the South Dakota Transportation Hall of Honor.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) announced that June Hansen of Pierre and Kari Karst of Dell Rapids will join the Hall of Honor’s 2026 class.

Established in 1972, the Transportation Hall of Honor recognizes individuals who have made lasting, valuable or unique contributions to South Dakota’s air, highway, public transit or rail transportation systems. With the addition of Hansen and Karst, the Hall of Honor will include 101 inductees.

Both women will be honored during Hall of Honor banquets this fall. Event details are expected to be announced later this summer.

Hansen currently serves as SDDOT’s civil rights compliance specialist. Among her most notable accomplishments is her work as the department’s tribal liaison, where she helped strengthen communication and collaboration between SDDOT and tribal nations across South Dakota.

The department said Hansen also played a key role in developing programs that continue to shape the agency’s workforce and culture, including establishing SDDOT’s formal employee mentoring program and helping create the department’s New Employee Orientation Program.

In addition, Hansen led development of the department’s Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan, helping assess facilities, educate staff on accessibility requirements and guide long-term improvements to remove barriers and improve access.

Karst, president and chief executive officer of BX Civil & Construction in Dell Rapids, is being recognized for her leadership and advocacy in South Dakota’s construction and transportation industries.

According to SDDOT, Karst has served on the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota Board of Directors for more than 20 years and has held numerous leadership positions. In 2004, she became the first woman to serve as president of the AGC Highway-Heavy-Utilities Chapter.

Karst has also served on several national AGC committees and has been a longtime advocate for expanding opportunities for women in the construction industry, encouraging more women to pursue careers as tradespeople, project managers and executives.

Transportation officials credited her work in workforce development, government affairs and member engagement with strengthening both the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota and the state’s broader transportation industry.