Road Report: April 22, 2024

Construction season is here, so we’re back with our weekly look at what projects are done, where you’ll find traffic impacts and what’s scheduled next.

What’s underway

Sixth Street: Work is progressing on Sixth Street between Weber Avenue and the Big Sioux River downtown.

BNSF has replaced the railroad crossing across Sixth Street.

The bike trail under the bridge was paved last week, and work continues on landscaping and underground utilities east of the railroad tracks.

Work is expected to be complete later this year.

Sycamore Avenue: Work started earlier this week on Sycamore Avenue between Sixth Street and Arrowhead Parkway.

The contractor will be performing full depth and partial depth concrete repairs, curb and gutter repairs, accessible curb ramp improvements, diamond grinding of the surface to improve the smoothness of the ride experienced by the public and resealing the joints in the concrete.

This project will be very similar to the work that occurred on Sixth Street west of Sycamore Avenue last year.

One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times during construction. This work is expected to be complete in November.

Cliff Avenue: The outside southbound lane of Cliff Avenue closed just south of 52nd Street North on April 17 to allow crews to perform utility work. This work is expected to be complete in about one week.

Ebenezer Avenue: The southbound lane of Ebenezer Avenue closed between Madison Street and Delbridge Avenue on April 17 to allow crews to perform grading and drainage work. One lane of traffic in each direction is being maintained. This work is expected to be complete in about one month.

Louise Avenue: The southbound lanes of Louise Avenue closed between 90th and 95th streets on April 19 to allow Xcel Energy to move into the next phase of work to install new electrical facilities. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained in the northbound lanes. All work is expected to be complete in August.

What’s next

Minnesota Avenue: In the coming weeks, North Minnesota Avenue will be impacted by overlapping projects requiring complete street closures or lane reductions. These projects will have the biggest traffic impacts on residents living and working in that area and those traveling to the Sioux Falls Regional Airport.

“The rail crossing on Minnesota Avenue is scheduled to be replaced by BNSF starting April 22. With other road and utility construction work also in the area, travel on North Minnesota Avenue and around the airport will be impacted,” said Andy Berg, city engineer. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we make these important and necessary updates to our transportation and utility network.”

• Full closure: Minnesota Avenue

Beginning today, BNSF will be replacing the rail crossing on Minnesota Avenue south of Algonquin Street. This will result in a full closure of Minnesota Avenue, which is expected to take one week. During the closure, traffic will follow a short detour through the industrial area via Blackhawk Street, A Avenue and Algonquin Street.

• Full closure: Benson Road

The Benson Road bridge has been closed for several weeks east of Minnesota Avenue. Traffic is detouring from Benson Road to 60th Street North from Minnesota and Cliff avenues. Benson Road is expected to open to traffic again in late November. The project will be completed in early May 2025.

• Lane closures: Minnesota Avenue

The outside northbound and southbound lanes on Minnesota Avenue will be intermittently closed from Russell Street to Benson Road to allow construction crews to perform storm drainage repairs. Traffic will be maintained in the inside driving lanes. Weather pending, this work is anticipated to be completed in approximately three weeks.

• Alternate routes

Drivers to and from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport are encouraged to use the traffic detour from Russell Street through Blackhawk Street, A Avenue and Algonquin Street or come from the north on 60th Street North and Minnesota Avenue.

32nd Street: Beginning today, 32nd Street will be closed west of Ellis Road to allow crews to install utilities. Traffic will be detoured to 26th Street. This work is expected to be complete in early May.

41st & I-29: Beginning Wednesday, traffic on 41st Street at Interstate 29 will shift to one lane in each direction on the north side of the 41st Street bridge. This traffic switch is part of the conversion of the interchange to its final configuration for the diverging diamond interchange. Crews will continue to work on the north islands and prepare for the next phase of construction. This project is expected to be complete in June.