For Release on April 29, 2003
For More Information: John Forman 773-5155

Interstate Highway Median Mowing

PIERRE, SD -- The Department of Transportation is offering for sale the right to mow and remove hay from the median of interstate highways.

Median Mowing Bid forms and requirements for control of the haying operation can be obtained from the Department of Transportation offices located in Watertown, Brookings, Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Yankton, Pierre, Winner, Murdo and Rapid City. Completed forms should be submitted to the appropriate Department of Transportation location with the words "Median Bid" written on the outside of the envelope.

Bid proposals will be opened in Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City and Watertown at 10:00 a.m. on May 13.

Contracts will be awarded for areas of the median identified by a highway number and beginning and ending milepost (to the nearest tenth of mile). Adjacent landowners will be given first priority in the award of the contracts. The minimum acceptable bid is $20.00 per mile. The Department of Transportation reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

The State applies various herbicides to control weeds that can be toxic to animals. As a condition of the contract, the mowing contractor is responsible to contact the State's local highway maintenance supervisor prior to beginning any haying operation to determine what herbicides have been applied.

Sections of interstate near Rapid City and around Sioux Falls and North Sioux City will not be available for contract because of public safety concerns. Haying operations may also be restricted at various other locations due to construction activities.

For the safety of the traveling public, it is required that processed hay be removed from the interstate right-of-way within 48 hours of being processed.

For more information, contact John Forman with the Department of Transportation at 773-5155.