City details road projects ahead for 2026 construction season
More than $65 million in city-funded road construction is planned in Sioux Falls this year, plus several major interstate projects.
“We’re all looking forward to another busy street construction season,” city principal engineer Brad Ludens said.
The projects include those that focus on street preservation and rehabilitation, expansion and reconstruction, including work on infrastructure, traffic signals and bike improvements.
Our weekly Road Report update resumes March 30, but in the meantime here’s an overview of what’s ahead.
Interstate 229 and Cliff Avenue interchange
A major project from 2025 will continue this year with significant impacts throughout Cliff Avenue and Interstate 229.
This project will fully reconstruct the Cliff Avenue and I-229 interchange. Cliff Avenue will be reconstructed between 38th Street and the Spencer Park entrance and the 41st Street intersection will be realigned farther to the north. Work includes underground utility improvements, two pedestrian underpasses, grading, concrete surfacing, signing, street lighting and traffic signals.
Paving on the southbound lanes of Interstate 229 is complete, including the southbound off-ramp, the realignment of 41st Street and the bridge deck over Cliff Avenue. Work on the southbound on-ramp also is complete. Crews will begin removing the northbound I-229 bridge and the temporary bridge this spring and shift drivers to the southbound lanes and bridge.
Cliff Avenue will be restricted to one lane in each direction as crews install a sanitary sewer, water main and storm sewer and build the southbound lanes.
Work also includes constructing portions of the northbound off‑ramp and closing the northbound on‑ramp to begin building a pedestrian tunnel and retaining wall. Traffic on Cliff Avenue then will shift to the southbound lanes, with one lane open in each direction, while crews construct the northbound lanes, on‑ramp and pedestrian tunnel. Cliff Avenue also will close for one week this summer.
“We will have the I-229 lanes open in November as anticipated before winter onto the new structure, and we’ll have some finish up work we’ll complete in 2027,” said Harry Johnston, Sioux Falls area engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
South Veterans Parkway from Cliff to Sycamore avenues
South Veterans Parkway work from 2025 continues with the segment between Cliff and Sycamore avenues. Work includes underground utility installation, grading, concrete surfacing on Veterans Parkway, asphalt surfacing on Sycamore Avenue, signing, street lighting and traffic signals.
Work is expected to begin in April. Southeastern and Sycamore avenues will each undergo phased closures in the spring and summer, including a section of Southeastern Avenue south of Bison Trail and a segment of Sycamore Avenue between 69th and 85th streets. Construction is scheduled to be done by the end of the year. The next segment, from I-29 to Western Avenue, is scheduled to begin in 2027, followed by the final segment from Sycamore to 57th Street, which is scheduled to be done by 2029.
Interstate 29 and 85th Street interchange
The city’s fourth diverging diamond interchange is under construction at 85th Street and I-29, including grading, installing pipes and installing bridge abutments for the southbound exit ramps.
The project includes building the interchange and installing underground utilities, a pedestrian underpass, grading, concrete surfacing, signage, street lighting and traffic signals.
This season, 85th Street from Tallgrass to Sundowner avenues will be closed to traffic, with access maintained for local residents only. Traffic on I-29 will remain in place throughout construction, although lane and shoulder closures may occur for work adjacent to existing lanes. Partial overnight closures of I‑29 also will be allowed to accommodate bridge or mechanically stabilized earth wall construction.
Weather permitting, the interchange is expected to be done by the end of 2027.
Minnesota Avenue from Second to Eighth streets
This project has started already with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction.
Work will include replacement of multiple water mains, including a 42-inch water transmission main and two parallel distribution water mains, replacement of sanitary sewer and storm drainage piping, concrete pavement, concrete sidewalk, retaining walls, concrete median pavement, street and pedestrian/accent lighting, streetscaping, relocation of bus stops and replacement of traffic signals. The project also includes coordination with private utility companies. Work has started on the east side and then will shift to the west. It’s scheduled to be done by mid-2027.
Arrowhead and Veterans parkways
This major intersection reconstruction from last year continues this season with concrete paving along Arrowhead Parkway from 10th Street to just east of Veterans Parkway and finished reconstructed the Arrowhead service road.
Arrowhead will close east of Veterans Parkway for five to six weeks this spring Then it will close west between Highline Avenue and Veterans Parkway for the rest of the construction season
“The good news is that Veterans Parkway will remain open to one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the construction season,” Ludens said. “The project will have fully reconstructed and widened the intersection.”
During construction, drivers traveling east or west will need to use Madison Street or 41st Street. The project is scheduled to be done by November.
Veterans Parkway from Maple to 57th streets
Veterans Parkway will see a series of coordinated improvements this season, including concrete pavement restoration, new pavement markings and updated traffic signals.
Work between 26th and 41st streets will include concrete joint and panel repairs, curb and gutter repairs, joint resealing and the application of a soy‑based penetrating sealer. There also will be improved pavement markings, street signs and traffic signals throughout the corridor. There will be lane closures and work is scheduled to be done in October.
Marion Road from 259th Street to Memory Lane, construction of BNSF overpass
This project will reconstruct a portion of Marion Road extending from 259th Street to Memory Lane from a rural section gravel road to an urban section concrete pavement surface with an overpass at the BNSF railroad crossing.
“These improvements are necessary to accommodate anticipated traffic increases due to development at Foundation Park,” Ludens said.
Marion Road will be closed to traffic between 259th Street and Memory Lane for the entire project. Work is expected to start this spring and continue through November. It will resume in 2027 as the weather allows before it is done next year.
Russell Street from Louise Drive to Minnesota Avenue
This project is expected to begin in April. Lane closures will be in place. At a minimum, one lane of traffic will remain open in both directions at all times. The work will involve concrete repairs, curb and gutter repairs and joint resealing. It’s expected to be done in October.
Maintenance improvements
The city plans to improve hundreds of blocks throughout Sioux Falls with mill and overlay and slurry seal work this year. The plan is to mill and overlay more than 220 blocks during the construction season. More than 630 blocks are scheduled for slurry seal work this year, which typically gives the pavement an additional five to seven years of longevity.
“It’s a great program that extends the life of our streets and is very cost-effective,” said Dustin Hanson, city street operations manager.
“Depending on our budget, we may add additional blocks to these asphalt and slurry seal programs throughout the year.”
Interstate 29 and 49th Street bridge
The 49th Street bridge will be closed over I-29 for concrete improvements, pedestrian railings, a sidewalk and pavement markings. The project is expected to be done in October.
Bridge preservation on 12th Street west of Grange Avenue
Concrete repairs to the bridge deck are scheduled, with some lane closures coming but the road remaining open. The work will start this summer and be done in October.
ADA improvements
Sidewalk accessibility improvements will take place on Louise Avenue from 49th to 53rd streets starting this summer. They will be done in November.
“Residents will begin to see more audible information devices on our projects,” Ludens added.
That includes information on sidewalk closures and route changes for residents with visual disabilities.
To learn more
Visit here for an interactive map of projects.
To sign up for text alerts, visit here.
For state updates, visit here.
Here’s a video overview from the city:
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