SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A major highway in the Black Hills will pause construction and temporarily reopen during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) announced it pause all construction on U.S. Highway 385 starting Wednesday, July 31 and resume construction Tuesday, Aug. 13. During those days, the highway will reopen to traffic with one and one-half times of gravel surfacing from Highway 44 to Silver City Road.
The DOT said it will treat the gravel to control dust and the speed limit through the construction zone will be reduced to 45 mph during the rally.
In addition to reopening US 385, the DOT will operate several temporary traffic devices and speed reductions in the Black Hills during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
Traffic signals will start operating Tuesday, July 30 through Monday, Aug. 12 at the following locations:
- S.D. Highway 34/79 and Nellie Avenue;
- S.D. Highway 34/79 and Ft. Meade main entrance;
- S.D. Highway 34/79 and Glencoe Drive;
- S.D. Highway 34 and S.D. Highway 79 east of Sturgis;
- S.D. Highway 34 and Ft. Meade Way (Buffalo Chip);
- S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 385;
- U.S. Highway 16 and U.S. Highway 385 east of Hill City;
- S.D. Highway 34/79 and 8th Street in Sturgis;
- S.D. Highway 34/79 and 11th Street in Sturgis;
- Interstate 90 exit 32 westbound ramp;
- Interstate 90 exit 32 eastbound ramp; and
- Interstate 90 exit 55 eastbound ramp.
Speed limits will be reduced on the following highways from August 1 through August 11:
- The Interstate 90 speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph from west of exit 55 (Deadwood Avenue) in Rapid City to west of exit 30 (Lazelle Street) in Sturgis.
- The S.D. Highway 34 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph and 45 mph to 35 mph from Blanche Street in Sturgis, east approximately four miles (east of Buffalo Chip).
- The S.D. Highway 79 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 45 mph from the junction of S.D. Highway 34 north approximately two miles (north of Iron Horse Campground) and from one-half mile south of the intersection with Bighorn Road north approximately one mile, near the Full Throttle Saloon and Drag Pipe Saloon approaches.
You can read more on the changes by clicking here.
