SD Highway 19 Reconstruction to Begin

ROAD CLOSED LATER THIS MONTH

VERMILLION, SD - - Road construction on Highway 19 north of Vermillion will begin next week. The project will cover 10 miles starting from SD Hwy 50 Business Loop (Cherry Street) and heading north.

The road north of the SD Hwy 50 bypass will be closed to through traffic beginning Tuesday, May 27. Traffic will be detoured on SD Hwy 50 east to I-29, north to SD Hwy 46 and west to the intersection of SD Hwy 19A/SD Hwy 19 south of Centerville. Local traffic will be maintained to the nearest intersecting roadway. Emergency services, mail delivery and school bus traffic will also be maintained during the project. 

The road from Cherry Street to the bypass will be closed later this summer.

The construction includes improving the bridge over the Vermillion River, regrading and resurfacing the highway. The work between Cherry Street and the bypass will also include new storm sewers, street lights and an additional right turn lane at the intersection of the bypass and SD Hwy 19. Most of the work will be completed by mid November with minor work finishing next spring.

Access to the historical landmark of Spirit Mound will be maintained across the project at 312^th Street. Additional route information to Spirit Mound may be obtained from the Vermillion Chamber of Commerce.

Loiseau Construction, Inc. of Flandreau, SD is the prime contractor on the project. The company was awarded the contract on April 24, 2003 with a bid of $6.5 million.