S.D. Highway 46 through Wagner
Project Summary:
This project will consist of grading, surfacing, curb & gutter, sidewalk, lighting, signals, sanitary sewer, and water main. Crews will be regrading S.D. Highway 46 through Wagner with a three-lane section east of Washington Avenue and a five-lane section west of Washington Avenue. New lighting and sidewalks will be added through town along with crosswalks with flashing beacons that will improve safety for pedestrians. During the project, the City of Wagner is also installing new sanitary sewer and water main to upgrade their existing systems to ensure future reliability.
Grading
Resurfacing
Lighting and Sidewalks
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Project Updates:
Anticipated Work April 15, 2026 – May 15, 2026:
On S.D. Highway 46, from Grant Avenue to the west end of the city limits, extensive traffic control will be implemented. This will include installation of temporary sidewalk and refreshed pavement striping. Traffic is scheduled to shift to the north side of Highway 46 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, using the newly constructed temporary widening. An 11‑foot width restriction will be in effect for vehicles traveling through the work zone.
Removal and recycling of asphalt, concrete, and base course will begin and be reused as part of the project. These operations will be followed by staged work progressing east to west along the south side of Highway 46. Work will include installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and water service through Main Avenue, as well as paving operations extending to Main Avenue.
We appreciate the public’s patience as we work to improve the safety and quality of this key transportation corridor. Motorists are reminded to observe the 15 mph school‑zone speed limit when children are present. The flashing beacons have been temporarily removed and will be replaced at a later date.
April 16, 2026 - Completed Work:
Phase Three construction began on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The contractor, A&R, constructed temporary roadway widening along the north side of S.D. Highway 46 to accommodate traffic during this construction phase. Work included installation of traffic control, protection of existing storm sewer infrastructure from contamination, clearing trees and bushes, and removing existing sidewalk, lighting, curb and gutter, and other surface features, followed by grading operations. Crews also completed culvert extensions on the west end of town.
On April 15, 2026, the contractor’s subcontractor, Commercial Asphalt, began paving the temporary roadway widening.
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March 18, 2026 - Press Release:
On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, construction work is scheduled to resume on S.D. Highway 46 through the town of Wagner. Work on phase two of the project includes rebuilding the roadway and storm sewer from Grant Avenue SE to the west end of the Wagner City limits. The City of Wagner will be conducting a simultaneous project to install city water and sanitary sewer. Permanent striping on the project is scheduled for 2027.
Motorists should follow the posted signage. During construction, traffic will utilize Highway 46 with lane closures in place as needed. Residents living within the work zone are asked to use caution when driving in the area and to obey all flaggers and construction signs. Alternate routes should be utilized, if possible, to avoid delays.
The prime contractor for this $21 million project is A & R Construction of Plainview, NE. The completion date for the second phase of this multi-year project is Friday, Nov. 20, 2026. The overall project completion date is June 2027.