The South Dakota Department of Transportation and Department of Tourism continue to seek public comments on a proposed plan to update and revitalize the state’s interstate rest areas.
Earlier this year, a task force visited each of the state’s rest areas to study the condition, functionality and accessibility of the facilities and have proposed a three to five year improvement plan, which is available on the SDDOT website at http://www.sddot.com/resources/reports/InterstateRestAreaFinalReport.pdf.
The committee has made the following summarized recommendations:
· Closing the rest areas at Tilford on I-90 near Sturgis and at Hidewood on I-29 near Watertown on Oct. 31, leaving the parking areas functional.
· Reconstructing the rest areas at the I-90 Minnesota/South Dakota border (Valley Springs) and the I-29 Iowa/South Dakota border (Homestead) as Welcome Centers.
· Adding additional space to the I-29 rest area near the North Dakota border (Wilmot) to include a Welcome Center.
· Remodeling or upgrading the rest areas at Wasta, Belvidere, Presho, White Lake and Salem on I-90 and Ward Road and Glacial Lakes on I-29. Upgrades will address ADA accessibility needs as well as an updated security camera system.
· When the Welcome Centers at the interstate borders become operational, the staffed information centers at other rest areas will be closed.
Written comments should be submitted by Sept. 30, and can be sent via email to dotgeneralinfo@state.sd.us or mailed to:
Darin Bergquist, Secretary
South Dakota Department of Transportation
700 East Broadway Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-2586
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