BLACK HILLS, S.D. – Drivers across the Rapid City area will encounter several road projects and traffic changes this week as communities work to improve transportation infrastructure and safety.
Construction is underway on Old Folsom Road, where crews are widening and resurfacing the roadway through October 23. Meanwhile, Daughenbaugh Road in eastern Pennington County will close for three days starting Tuesday for railroad crossing repairs.
In Box Elder, temporary traffic counters and cameras will be installed at four intersections to help city officials plan for future growth and increasing traffic volumes.
Road safety is also in focus after the Rockerville Volunteer Fire Department responded to four crashes along Highway 16 in recent days. Firefighters are urging motorists to slow down and remain alert when approaching emergency scenes to protect first responders and prevent secondary accidents.
Looking ahead, Rapid City has secured more than $7 million in federal funding for future improvements to Skyline Drive, including safety upgrades, trail access improvements, and preservation of historic features.
The updates come as a new national survey ranked Rapid City and Sioux Falls among cities with so-called “entitled” drivers, although both communities ranked well below the nation’s worst offenders. Officials say the combination of growth, construction, and increased traffic makes safe driving more important than ever.
