Summer is here and that means it’s time for sunshine, road trips, and road construction. Officials say there could be some delays in certain areas.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is overseeing several large projects across the state. Various state highways and parts of I-29 are under construction near Sioux Falls. Highway 212 east of Watertown is closed and detoured. Other roadways are down to one lane along I-90 and south of Pierre.
Three major projects are going on in the Rapid City and Spearfish area. This is the third year Rushmore Road is being worked on and the second year for segments of I-190. Interstate Exit 14 near Spearfish is under construction and delays are expected.
Kristi Sandal is the Public Information Officer for the Department of Transportation. She says there is one thing that rings true every year for drivers.
“Please slow down. Pay attention to the signs, especially the speed limit signs. We’ve got equipment and workers adjacent to driving lanes even if we’ve got work going on, on shoulders or in the right of way or ditches. We’ve still got people there and their lives are important. So we want people to slow down and pay attention to their driving,” says Sandal.
Sandal says drivers can check the DOT website for construction work taking place along their route. She says it’s important for drivers to allow plenty of time for potential delays.