SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The proposed new men’s prison would require some road improvements that would be needed anyway, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
The SDDOT studied the 278th corridor based on traffic counts and projected increases both with and without, the new men’s prison. The corridor includes South Dakota Highway 115 and SD Highway 11 between 276th Street and 278th Street.
Even if the prison is not built, the increase in traffic on 276th will warrant additional turning lanes at intersections with SD 115 and SD 11, the SDDOT said in its corridor study information.
Without a prison, northbound and southbound left turn lanes and southbound right turn lane will be needed at the 276th Street and SD 115 intersection. A new southbound right turn will be needed at the intersection with SD 11.
The SDDOT study evaluated traffic flow and needs based on a no-build scenarios and build scenarios. Recommendations included how traffic would flow to and from a new men’s prison.
The prison would create 926 more daily trips in the corridor. SDDOT said most of the trips would happen in the peak commute morning and peak afternoon commute hours. The study has three scenarios for improvements if the prison is built.
Scenario one is if the bulk of the traffic used only SD 115 to come and go from the prison on 278th Street, then northbound and southbound left turn lanes would be needed at the highway and 278th Street intersection. An eastbound left turn lane is needed for access to the prison driveway. This in addition to the turn lanes needed at 276th Street.
Scenario two is if the bulk of the traffic used SD 11 to come and go from the prison a westbound right turn lane is needed at the prison access. The 278th Street intersection at SD 11 needs a left turn in northbound and southbound turn lanes as well as a southbound right turn lane.
The third scenario has 60% of the prison traffic using SD 115 and 40% using SD 11. Northbound and southbound left turn lanes would be needed at the highway and 278th Street intersection with SD 115. An eastbound left turn lane is needed for access to the prison driveway. With SD 11, The 278th Street intersection at SD 11 needs a left turn in northbound and southbound turn lanes as well as a southbound right turn lane.
Pavement is also recommended for 276th and 278th streets in the corridor area. The SDDOT study said increases in traffic volume with the prison call for paving sections of these streets between SD 115 and SD 11.
A gravel road is adequate for traffic volume of an average of fewer than 150 vehicles a day. The surface must be evaluated for traffic volume greater than 400 vehicles a day.
The new prison and no build general traffic increases may also require some changes to intersection controls, SDDOT provided some options for future considerations with build and no build scenarios for 2029 and 2050.
The SDDOT has scheduled an informational meeting on the corridor study for 6-7:30 p.m. Monday at the Performing Arts Center in Canton. The public can also submit written comment on the study until Tuesday, Jan. 21, via the study website page .
