SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota House Transportation Committee voted unanimously to pass a bill that aims to fix a particular issue within the state’s highway system.
In the capital city of Pierre, there is a rail bridge called the South Pierre Street Viaduct. The bridge has gained a following, even having its own dedicated Facebook group, for its unique diet.
This bridge eats trucks.
In 2024 alone the bridge claimed five trucks who failed to note the height requirement.
This is an issue because, under state law, this bridge crosses the path of U.S. Highway 14’s route through Pierre.
The bill would change this, amending the route of the trunk highway system through Hughes County by moving the route through Pierre of Hwy 14 from its current route down N. Euclid, instead routing it down the existing Hwy 14 bypass of U.S. 83.
The bill, Senate Bill 39, passed unanimously through the committee without much in the way of discussion, though one Representative noted the change may lead to a decrease in activity on the bridge’s Facebook group.
The bill has already passed the Senate side of the legislature, and will now go to the full House on the consent calendar. If approved there, it will head to the desk of Gov. Larry Rhoden.
