Road Report: April 4, 2022

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

41st Street: A traffic change is coming on 41st Street west of Interstate 29.  Beginning today, the eastbound lanes of 41st will be closed between I-29 and Marion Road to allow crews to work on the reconstruction of 41st.

One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained in the westbound lanes. The outside southbound right-turn lane on the off-ramp of I-29 onto 41st will remain closed. Traffic will remain in this configuration until midsummer. Additionally, Meadow Avenue will reopen to traffic by the end of today between 39th and 41st streets, weather permitting.

12th Street: The outside eastbound lane on 12th Street is closed just west of Garfield Avenue. This work is expected to be complete in about two weeks.

Minnesota Avenue: Work on Minnesota Avenue is off to a good start.  Crews completed pavement removals in the first phase last week and began installation of a 42-inch water main.

This water main carries 30 percent to 40 percent of the city’s water during peak summer usage and is the largest diameter water main in the city’s distribution system.

It took a lot of planning, coordination and some preparatory projects over the past couple of years to be able to take the existing water main offline during this project so it could be replaced. Shout-out to the city’s water purification team for this one.

What’s next

Tallgrass Avenue: Beginning today, Tallgrass Avenue between 74th and 85th streets will be closed to allow construction crews to install new water main and sanitary sewer. Motorists should use Louise Avenue, 69th Street and 85th  as alternate routes. Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be completed by mid-June.

Marion Road and Silver Valley Drive: Beginning today, the southbound lanes of Marion Road will be closed at the intersection of Silver Valley Drive to allow construction crews to perform street and storm drainage repairs. Southbound single-lane traffic will be maintained in the center turn lane. Northbound traffic will not be affected. Silver Valley also will be closed to all through traffic at Marion as part of this work. The project is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

Interstate 29: Beginning Tuesday, the South Dakota Department of Transportation will begin maintenance work on northbound Interstate 29 through the Sioux Falls area. A lane closure may result in  traffic delays. Motorists also are advised that speeds will be reduced in the work zone through April 15. Reduced speeds will be in place on I-29 from Interstate 229 to Interstate 90 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Top road projects to follow this season