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Department of Transportation
Rapid City Area Office
2300 Eglin Street
P.O. Box 1970
Rapid City, South Dakota57709-1970
Phone 605/394-2248
FAX: 605/394/1904
For Immediate Release: December 26, 2007
Contact: Steve Palmer, 605- 394-2248
Spearfish Canyon rock removal to start soon
SPEARFISH, S.D. – A project in Spearfish Canyon to remove excess rock from the canyon wall near Bridal Veil Falls is scheduled to begin Jan. 7, depending on weather. Due to safety concerns, traffic through the canyon will face some limitations during the anticipated two-week project.
Spearfish Canyon Road will undergo regular closures during the removal of the excess rock. Throughout the majority of the work, traffic will be permitted to pass through Spearfish Canyon at the beginning of each hour. In addition, during blasting and cleanup operations, closures are anticipated to last the majority of the day until all blast debris is removed from the roadway.
Public notices of the road closures will be given in advance of each planned blast through newspaper, radio, signing at both ends of Spearfish Canyon and the www.SDDOT.com Web site. Also, travelers may call (605) 641-5446 or tune to radio station AM 1670 to listen to recorded information about upcoming closures.
Businesses located in Spearfish Canyon will not be affected by this work. In lieu of waiting for hourly road openings, travelers may wish to utilize Exit 17 and Highway 85 through Lead and Deadwood to access points in Spearfish Canyon above Bridal Veil Falls. Access to Bridal Veil Falls will not be permitted on blast days due to its proximity to the work site.
Blackwing Blasting from Divide, Colo., is the blasting contractor and Quinn Construction from Rapid City is contracted to remove the blast material.
For more information, contact Steve Palmer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, 605-394-2248.
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