SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — With construction season winding down in Sioux Falls there are several projects along Interstate 29, Interstate 90 and Interstate 229 that remain unfinished.
“There are quite a few projects happening in the Sioux Falls area,” South Dakota Department of Transportation spokesperson Julie Stevenson said.
According to the SD 511 website, there are more than seven different projects on I-29, I-90 and I-229 within 30 miles of Sioux Falls. You can see all the projects marked with orange cones on the state’s 511 website.
Area Engineer for the DOT in Sioux Falls, Harry Johnston said the reason there are so many projects around Sioux Falls is to keep up with the city’s growing population.
“Sioux Falls has a lot of growth that is happening and with that we are working to accommodate traffic volumes as well,” Johnston said in an interview with KELOLAND News. With the traffic volumes increasing, with the population growth we are responding by trying to make the interchanges functional,”
Johnston said they have been doing their best to accommodate those affected by the construction.
“What we are trying to do is accommodate traffic through those interchanges while we are building them,” Johnston said. “It means it does slow traffic down a little bit, but at the same time people can get to their destination without having to go on an extensive detour.”
“The contractors are definitely utilizing the warmer weather that we have been having this fall,” Johnston said. “It’s been great for construction, yes it does drag it out for longer durations, but hopefully it gives us more time to be able to get these roads ready for the winter condition.”
Crews have finished bridge repairs along Exit 94 on I-29, the project completion date was originally set for Friday, Oct. 18, 2024,
I-29 also has an additional bridge repair project near Exit 44, with lanes reduced to 1 and a speed limit of 45 mph until further notice.
People have been posting frustrations with road construction on Reddit and on social media platforms regarding ongoing construction projects on I-29 and other interstates around Sioux Falls.
Work on Interstate 229
There is also a bridge repair project on I-229 between Exits 5 and 6. The work includes approach slabs, bridge deck grinding and polymer chip sealing. Traffic has been reduced to 1 southbound lane until further notice.
There is an additional bridge repair project on I-229 from Exit 7 to exit 9. speed limit has been reduced to 65 mph until 12:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025.
Crews are also building a temporary bridge over Cliff Avenue.
Fresh oil, paving for stretches’ of I-90, I-29
Another project on I-29 is fresh oil and paving near the I-90 intersection. The project runs 1.75 miles north of Exit 84, which has reduced to one lane in each, and has an anticipated overall completion date of Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Work on the project involves grading and asphalt paving the shoulders.
I-90 is also under construction from Exit 390 to 396 is currently undergoing construction with putting fresh oil, grading, paving and is reduced to one lane in each direction, with an estimated completion date of Thursday, Nov 14, 2024.
