Road Report: Oct. 9, 2023

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

What’s underway

Veterans Parkway: The contractor is making good progress on Veterans Parkway between Cliff and Western avenues.

On Cliff Avenue, there are two lanes open to traffic, with the only remaining task being the application of permanent pavement markings.

While the mechanically stabilized earth, or MSE, walls on the north side of 85th Street are nearly complete, they still require coping to be fully finished.

On the south side of 85th, the contractor has completed two rows of MSE walls.

As for the lane closures on Minnesota Avenue, all removals have been finished, and the contractor is in the grading phase to create turn lanes.

All work on this project is scheduled to be completed by late 2024.

Unity Bridge & Sixth Street: Construction progress is actively underway on the Unity Bridge and Sixth Street in downtown Sioux Falls. In the early morning hours of Oct. 4, the contractor poured the concrete deck for the Unity Bridge.

This early morning work was conducted to ensure that a sufficient quantity of concrete was readily available from the mixing plant and to minimize disruptions caused by vehicle traffic and railroad operations.

Additionally, work is in progress on the south side of Sixth Street, east of the bridge, which includes the installation of concrete curbs, gutters, pavement and streetscape features.

To the east of the railroad tracks, both public and private utility work is ongoing.

The contractor has completed the boring process for a 42-inch casing pipe, measuring 105 feet in length.

This borehole was drilled through solid quartzite rock beneath the railroad tracks. This pipe will serve as the conduit for the city’s water main and will accommodate 19 separate conduits for various public and private utility lines.

Benson Road & I-229: Progress is ongoing for the Benson Road and Interstate 229 interchange project. Concrete paving work is in progress west of I-229.

The concrete paving to the east of I-229 has been completed.

The water main and storm sewer work is nearly finished; however, there is still some remaining storm sewer work to be completed at the ramps.

The southbound off-ramp, which has been closed, is scheduled to reopen Wednesday.

The plan is to complete all work on this project by the spring of 2025.

10th Street: On Oct. 4, a lane closure on 10th Street between French and Franklin avenues took effect to allow crews to perform concrete repairs. The repairs are expected to be finished within one week.

Grange Avenue: The southbound lane on Grange Avenue has closed just south of 18th Street. Southbound traffic will be shifted to the center-turn lane. The bus stop on Grange near 21st Street will have access. The contractor will be replacing curb, gutter and asphalt for Sanford Health. The work is expected to be complete in two weeks.

What’s next

Beginning today:

Minnesota Avenue: The outside southbound lane of Minnesota Avenue will be closed between the Big Sioux River bridge and 57th Street to allow crews to perform sidewalk repairs. Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be complete by the end of the week.

I-229: Northbound and southbound lane closures on Interstate 229 are scheduled at Western Avenue through Wednesday. The lane closures will be in place from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. The contractor will close the outside lanes on I-229 first, then switch to inside lane closures. The closures are planned for the placement of pedestrian railings at the Western Avenue bridge.

Maple Street: Maple Street will be closed to thru traffic at Valley View Road. A single lane on the east side will be maintained for firetruck access. The contractor will be working on utilities. The work is expected to be complete by Wednesday.

Dakota Avenue: The east northbound lane on Dakota Avenue from Eighth to Ninth streets will be closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on the west side of City Hall. The project consists of removing and resetting the City Hall west-side entrance pavers and rebuilding the ADA access ramp. During this closure, ADA access will be provided at the east entrance. The south entrance will remain open during this closure. The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of November, weather depending. On Tuesday, the lane on Dakota Avenue also will be closed south of Ninth Street for masonry repairs at City Hall. This work is anticipated to be completed in four weeks.

Beginning Tuesday:

Cliff Avenue: The outside northbound lane of Cliff Avenue will be closed in various locations between 33rd and 12th streets to allow crews to perform concrete repairs. Each repair location will be limited to a block or two at each location and will move north as the work progresses. Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be complete within two weeks.