SDDOT to Discuss Environmental Changes on Highway 11 Project

(Sioux Falls) The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) will hold an open house public meeting Tuesday, December 16, at 7 p.m. at the Kenny Anderson Community Center in Sioux Falls. The meeting will focus on changes to the environmental assessment previously approved for the East Side Corridor Study. The SD Highway 11 and Powder House Road project proposed for 2006 is part of the previous environmental study.

SDDOT plans to rebuild 2 ½ miles of SD Highway 11 and Powder House Road between 26^th and Madison Streets. This is a joint project with the City of Sioux Falls. The original plans would move the new road 300 feet west of SD Highway 11 between 26^th and 6^th Streets and 120 feet east of Powder House Road between 6^th Street and Madison Street. While designing the project, SDDOT staff found the proposed plan would be too expensive because of the amount of land the DOT would need to acquire. They started looking at other alternatives to cut costs.

Alternative A would move the new road 46 feet west of the existing SD Hwy 11 between 26^th and 18^th and up to 175 feet west of the existing Powder House Road before lining up with the existing Powder House Road between 6^th Street and Madison. This alternative also includes an earthen barrier between 26^th Street and SD Hwy 42 to help reduce noise and improve the visual aspects of the project. This is the department’s preferred alternative.

Alternative B would use the existing SD Highway 11 between 26^th and 18^th Streets and follow the Alternative A route north of SD Hwy 42. This alternative does not include an earthen barrier.

SDDOT staff will be available for one-on-one discussions about the alternatives. They’ll have maps and photos available to illustrate the project. The Kenny Anderson Community Center is located at 3701 E. 3^rd Street in Sioux Falls.

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