PIERRE, S.D. -- Motorists in South Dakota now have a valuable new tool to help them travel safely.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation announced today that camera images of Interstate highways are now available on its traveler information Web site, www.SafeTravelUSA.com/sd.

“The safety of the traveling public is our most important concern,” said SDDOT Secretary Darin Bergquist. "These cameras are another important tool that motorists can use when deciding if they should head out on the road. Travelers will be able to use the camera images along with our road reports and weather predictions to help them see what conditions are like.”

Thirty cameras provide snapshots of the roadway at 19 locations along I-29 and I-90, taken at 10-minute intervals. The images are immediately available at the DOT’s traveler information website and are stamped with the date and time taken. Travelers can access links to all of the camera views by clicking on “Cameras” found towards the top left of the page.

The cameras are installed within many of the DOT’s roadside dynamic message signs. By taking advantage of power and communications already at the signs, the DOT was able to keep installation and operation costs low.

Travelers are encouraged to take advantage of all of the traveler information services provided by the DOT. The SafeTravelUSA Web site also provides detailed information about road and weather conditions on all state, US, and Interstate highway in South Dakota. Motorists can also call South Dakota’s 511 Traveler Information Service from any phone in South Dakota to get information about roads in the state and neighboring states. By the end of 2007, the two services will have responded to more than 900,000 requests for information this year.

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Camera views are available at the following locations, with views of both directions available at many locations:

Brookings
North of town along I-29 & MP 135.9

Chamberlain
East of town along I-90 & MP 268 looking west
West of town along I-90 & MP 258.8 looking east

Mitchell
East of town along I-90 & MP 333.8

Murdo
Murdo-West of town along I-90 & MP 189.5

North Sioux City (available soon)
North of town along I-29 & MP 1.5 looking north
North of town along I-29 & MP 1.5 looking south

Rapid City
East of town along I-90 & MP 63.1 looking east
West of town along I-90 & MP 54 looking west

Sioux Falls
North of town along I-29 & MP 85.3
East of town along I-90 & MP 402 looking east
West of town along I-90 & MP 394.4 looking west
South of town along I-29 & MP 74.3

Sisseton
North of town along I-29 & MP 234

Spearfish
East of town along I-90 & MP 11 looking west
West of town along I-90 & MP 9.6 looking east

Sturgis
East of town along I-90 & MP 35.6
West of town along I-90 & MP 28.6

Wall
East of town along I-90 & MP 111.5
West of town along I-90 & MP 108.4

Watertown
Watertown-North of town along I-29 & MP 179

Information and images used from the SafeTravelUSA Web site should be credited to the site with “A service provided by the South Dakota Department of Transportation.”