Construction Updates
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Construction Zone Reminders
- Follow posted speed limits in construction zones.
- Be aware of flaggers and other construction workers in the construction area.
- If you are following a pilot car, stay with the line, and do not stop or exit your vehicle in the project area.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Watch for reduced speeds
Current Conditions
- The speed limit has been reduced to 45 MPH through the construction area.
- The contractor is beginning to seal the roadway, which will result in a hard surface that will be in place until surfacing is placed in 2025.
- Users of the roadway can expect delays of approximately 15 minutes and the use of flaggers from Pactola Dam to 1/2-mile north of Silver City Road.
- Traffic is being diverted on one gravel diversion (a temporary at-grade roadway next to the original road) immediately south of the Pennington-Lawrence County line. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
- The contractor is applying water to the roadway to control dust as needed.
Coming Up
- The box culvert near the Pennington-Lawrence County line is nearing completion, and Diversion 2 is expected to be removed in late August.
- From Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, most construction activities will be paused to accommodate additional traffic from local events, including the Sturgis Rally. All lanes will be open to unimpeded traffic, and the roadway will be at a minimum 24 feet wide with a speed limit of 45 MPH. Although the road will be unfinished, uneven lanes and shoulder drop-offs will be smoothed out.
- Milling (removal of the existing pavement) on Highway 385 from 1/2-mile north of Silver City Road to the Pennington-Lawrence County line is expected to begin in mid-August.
Friday, July 12, 2024
All Phase 1 closures are complete.
Construction Updates
- As of today, Friday, July 12, 2024, all Phase 1 closures are complete. Highway 385 is open to north-south traffic within the construction area.
- The Centennial Trail underpass near Pactola Dam is complete, and the permanent trail re-route is under construction.
- Milling (removal of the existing pavement) on Highway 385 from S.D. Highway 44 to 1/2-mile north of Silver City Road is complete.
Current Conditions
- The speed limit has been reduced through the construction area.
- Users of the roadway can expect delays of approximately 15 minutes and the use of flaggers from Pactola Dam to 1/2-mile north of Silver City Road.
- Phase 1 construction area (Pennington-Lawrence County line to the north end of Pactola Dam) will be a loose gravel surface until surfacing is completed in late 2025.
- Traffic is being diverted on one gravel diversion (a temporary at-grade roadway next to the original road) immediately south of the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
- The contractor is now working Saturdays until Phase 1 construction is completed.
Coming Up
- The box culvert near the Pennington-Lawrence County Line is nearing completion, and Diversion 2 is expected to be removed in late August.
- From Wednesday, July 31, 2024, to Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, most construction activities will be paused to accommodate additional traffic from local events. All lanes will be open to unimpeded traffic, and the roadway will be at a minimum 24 feet wide with four inches of gravel surface. Although the road will be unfinished, uneven lanes and shoulder drop-offs will be smoothed out.
- Milling (removal of the existing pavement) on Highway 385 from 1/2-mile north of Silver City Road to the Pennington-Lawrence County line is expected to begin in mid-August.
Friday, June 28, 2024
Closure A is expected to open Friday, July 12
Construction Updates
- Phase 1 construction is on-schedule, and Closure A is expected to open by its scheduled date of Friday, July 12, 2024.
- Construction on the new Centennial Trail underpass near Pactola Dam is progressing. The trail re-route remains in place until Friday, July 12, 2024, while clean up and trail building continues.
- The box culvert near S.D. Highway 44 is nearing completion, and Diversion 1 is expected to be removed in the next two weeks.
Current Conditions
- Closure A (the road to the North Boat Ramp to Pactola Dam) is in place through Friday, July 12, 2024.
- Milling (removal of the existing pavement) on Highway 385 from Highway 44 to one half mile north of Silver City Road. Phase 1 construction area (Pennington-Lawrence County line to the north end of Pactola Dam) will be a loose gravel roadway until surfacing is completed in late 2025.
- Users of the roadway can expect delays of approximately 15 minutes and the use of flaggers from Highway 44 to the Pennington-Lawrence County line and the use of pilot cars and flaggers from Highway 44 to the road to the North Boat Ramp.
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Traffic is being diverted on two gravel diversions (a temporary at-grade roadway next to the original road).
- Diversion 1 is approximately 3/4-mile north of the intersection of Highway 385 and Highway 44. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
- Diversion 2 is immediately south of the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
- The contractor is now working Saturdays until Phase 1 construction is completed.
Monday, June 24, 2024
Milling north of S.D. Highway 44 Begins
- On Monday, June 24, 2024, the contractor will begin milling (removal of the existing pavement) on U.S. Highway 385 from S.D. Highway 44 to one half mile north of Silver City Road. Motorists can expect flaggers and pilot cars, large machinery, narrowed driving lanes, increased noise and dust, and a loose gravel surface.
- Phase 1 construction area (Pennington-Lawrence County line to the north end of Pactola Dam) will be a loose gravel surface until surfacing is completed in late 2025.
Friday, June 14, 2024
Closure A Remains in Place until July 12
Current Conditions
- Closure A (road to the North Boat Ramp to Pactola Dam) is in place through Friday, July 12, 2024.
- Users of the roadway can expect delays of approximately 15 minutes and the use of pilot cars and flaggers from S.D. Highway 44 to the Pennington-Lawrence county line and from Highway 44 to the road to the North Boat Ramp.
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Traffic is being diverted onto two gravel diversions (a temporary at-grade roadway next to the original road).
- Diversion 1 is approximately 3/4-mile north of the intersection of Highway 385 and Highway 44. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
- Diversion 2 is immediately south of the Pennington-Lawrence county line. A width restriction of 12 feet is in place.
The contractor is now working Saturdays until Phase 1 construction is completed.
