Category Archives: News

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation says chip seal and fog seal applications will be applied to several highways in the central area of the state beginning Wednesday, July 29, 2015, weather permitting.
The contractor plans to chip seal the following routes in the following order with fog sealing closely following.
1.      Highway 63 – 28 miles, from the Highway 18/63 junction north to the Highway 44/63 junction, (includes BIA Route/Norris Road).
2.      Highway 44 – 14 miles, from the Highway 83/44 junction to Wood.
3.      Highway 248 – 19 miles, located between Murdo and the Highway 83/248 junction (Vivian).
4.      Highway 49 – 12 miles, from Hamill to the Highway 47/49 junction.
5.      Highway 47 – 16 miles, from two miles south of Iona to the Highway 47/49 junction.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane and guided through the work zone with the use of flaggers and a pilot car.  Delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected while traveling through the work areas during daytime hours.
Loose gravel and fresh oil will be present for a period of 36 to 72 hours after each day’s chip seal application. It is recommended that traffic reduce speed to 40 mph or use an alternate route during this time.
Hills Materials from Rapid City is the contractor on this $1.8 million contract. The overall completion date for the project is Sept. 26, 2015.
For more information, contact Doug Sherman or Brad Norrid at 605-842-0810.
Road construction information is available at www.safetravelusa.com/sd or by dialing 511.

Due to the expected increased traffic volumes during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and the anticipated reduced operating speeds, speed limits will be reduced on the following highways effective Friday, July 24, 2015.

•Interstate 90 speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph from west of the Deadwood Avenue Exit 55 in Rapid City to east of the Lazelle Street Exit 30 in Sturgis.
•Highway 34 speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph from Blanche Street in Sturgis to 3.8 miles east of Sturgis.
•Highway 79 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 45 mph from the junction of Highway 34 to 1.5 miles north.

The reduced speed limits will be in effect through at least Aug. 10, some may remain in effect until Aug. 15 depending on traffic volumes.

“Reducing the speed limit in these areas is intended to keep motorists safe, reduce rear-end collisions and keep traffic moving in and around Sturgis, says Transportation Secretary Darin Bergquist. “Patience will be key for everyone to enjoy their time at the 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.”

For complete road construction information, visit www.safetravelusa.com/sd or dial 511

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) announced the launch of his new, permanent website, www.rounds.senate.gov.

“My new website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it convenient for South Dakotans to contact me with their issues,” said Rounds. “Visitors to my website can send me their thoughts and concerns, receive help with a federal agency, learn how I’ve voted on legislation and much more.”

Rounds website was designed to better serve South Dakotans by giving them easier access to services and resources provided by his office. Suggestions on website improvements are welcome and can be submitted at www.rounds.senate.gov/contact/email-mike.

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard is embarking on an initiative to bring back the native landscape of South Dakota to Hilger’s Gulch and save taxpayer money.
“This is a planned transformation and it’s going to save us time and money,” Gov. Daugaard said. “On average the state has spent around $36,000 annually for irrigation and $23,000 annually for mowing, fertilizing and weed treatment. In dry years, the water bills have approached $50,000. We’re taking this project on as an effort to be better stewards of that money.”