NewsCenter1: DOT Prepares for Sturgis Rally With Traffic Changes
https://www.newscenter1.tv/news/local/dot-prepares-for-sturgis-rally-with-traffic-changes
The 86th Sturgis Rally is 8 days away with the accompanying increase in traffic. This year's rally runs from next Friday August 7th through the 16th. To prepare for the increased traffic state transportation crews will begin installing temporary traffic signals at select locations starting Friday.
August 6th speed limits will be reduced including on I-90 where it will drop to 65 between exits 30 and 55. SD DOT Region Operations Engineer Tom Horan says, "We have quite a history of of crashes during the Sturgis Rally due to the increase in in traffic volumes and traffic type, and so that that's the intent of the speed reductions."
Horan says message boards will be placed throughout the area and he urges bikers and drivers to watch signs along I-90 for up-to-the-minute traffic information.
Temporary Traffic Signals Locations:
S.D. Highway 34/79 and Ft. Meade main entrance;
S.D. Highway 34/79 and Glencoe Drive;
S.D. Highway 34 and S.D. Highway 79 east of Sturgis;
S.D. Highway 34 and Ft. Meade Way (Buffalo Chip);
S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 385;
U.S. Highway 16 and U.S. Highway 385 east of Hill City;
S.D. Highway 34/79 and 11th Street in Sturgis; and
Interstate 90 exit 55 eastbound ramp.
Speed Limit Reductions:
Speed limits will be reduced on the following highways from Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, through Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026.
The Interstate 90 speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph from west of exit 55 (Deadwood Avenue) in Rapid City to west of exit 30 (Lazelle Street) in Sturgis.
The S.D. Highway 34 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph and 45 mph to 35 mph from Blanche Street in Sturgis, east approximately four miles (east of Buffalo Chip).
The S.D. Highway 79 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 45 mph from the junction of Highway 34 north approximately two miles (north of Iron Horse Campground) and from one-half mile south of the intersection with Bighorn Road north approximately one mile, near the Full Throttle Saloon and Drag Pipe Saloon approaches.