For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Contact: Keith Winter, 605-673-4948

CUSTER, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Transportation says crews will be doing an asphalt mill and overlay project on Highways 16 and 16A from Pleasant Valley Road, four miles west of Custer, to the west entrance of Custer State Park this summer.

The project will be let to bid on April 20, 2016, with the rural portion of the project from Pleasant Valley Road to Little Italy Road and Sylvan Lake Road to the Custer State Park East Entrance expected to start in May.

The urban section from the intersection of Highway 16 and Little Italy Road to the intersection of Highway 16A and Sylvan Lake Road (Highway 89) cannot begin until after Sept. 6, (Labor Day).

In addition, construction will be shut down during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August and no milled surfaces or uneven lanes will be allowed during that time frame.

During construction of the rural sections, traffic will be directed with flaggers and a pilot car and drivers can expect up to 15 minute delays. Vehicles will encounter rough milled surfaces and uneven lanes for the duration of the project.

In the urban sections, traffic stops/delays will be kept to a minimum as two-way traffic can be maintained in the lanes unoccupied by the construction equipment.

More information will be sent out once the contract is awarded and the contractor has established a working timeline.

Motorists are asked to slow down in work zones and be aware of construction equipment and workers adjacent to the driving lanes.

The contract completion date for this project is Oct. 28, 2016.

Complete road construction information can be found at www.safetravelusa.com/sd or by dialing 511.

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