Road Closure Scheduled for U.S. Highway 385 from Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road Near Hill City

For Immediate Release:
Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 

Contact:
Tim Wicks, Custer Area Engineering Supervisor, 605-673-4948

HILL CITY, S.D. – Beginning on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, U.S. Highway 385 from the south end of Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road will be closed to through traffic. The roadway will reopen in March 2026. This road closure is part of the Highway 385 construction project taking place from the south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road. Local access to Victoria Lake Road and McCurdy Gulch Road will be maintained.  

Pactola Reservoir north and south accesses will remain open. To access Pactola Reservoir North Boat Ramp, approach from the north. To access Pactola Reservoir and nearby facilities from the south via Custer Gulch Road, approach from the south. Pactola Visitor Center is closed for the season. 

Detour Route:
The posted detour for the Highway 385 project is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) recommends that travelers exercise caution when using non-maintained roadways.

Emergency Services:
Emergency services are aware of this planned closure and are closely collaborating to provide response coverage.

Project Information:
Once completed, this section of Highway 385 will feature safety improvements, including wider shoulders on each side of the road where possible, improved road curves to meet current design standards, additional turning lanes to improve traffic flow, and new surfacing.

For further information regarding this project, please contact Tim Wicks, Custer Area Engineering Supervisor, at 605-673-4948 or via email at tim.wicks@state.sd.us. 

For updates on major traffic changes, subscribe to a free text-in service. To subscribe, simply text “US385” to 605-566-4041. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time. Find additional project information including maps, timelines, and construction updates on the website at https://www.US-385.com.

About SDDOT:
The mission of the South Dakota Department of Transportation is to provide a safe and efficient public transportation system.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

Read more about the innovative work of the SDDOT at https://dot.sd.gov.

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