PRESHO, S.D. — The longest stretch of Interstate 90 road construction planned in South Dakota in 2022 is getting underway.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation said Monday, April 25 that work has begun on Interstate 90 between Presho and Reliance in both the eastbound and westbound lanes. In all, construction will be done on nearly 25 miles of interstate between the two communities in Lyman County. The project will cost $21.5 million and be completed for the year in early November, before being resumed in 2023, due to its large size and amount of work involved. The overall project completion date is Oct. 20, 2023, the DOT said.
The construction project consists of milling and asphalt concrete resurfacing of I-90 and ramps, along with structure rehabilitation and updating the existing guardrails along the interstate.
Construction of temporary detour ramps at exits 235 (Kennebec) and 248 (Reliance) began earlier this month, the South Dakota DOT said. Lane closures are in place as this preliminary work occurs. Once detour ramps are completed, two-way traffic will be installed in the westbound lanes of I-90 from mile marker 227 to mile marker 236.
Two-way traffic will also be installed in the eastbound lanes of I-90 from mile marker 242 to mile marker 251. Both eastbound and westbound two-way traffic sections are scheduled to be installed the first week of May and will remain in place for most of the 2022 construction season. A 12-foot wide width restriction will be in place where two-way traffic is being used. Motorists are asked to be aware that reduced speed zones, ranging from 45 mph to 65 mph, will be in effect on the project at various times. An overwidth detour on South Dakota Highway 248 from mile marker 226 to mile marker 251 will be provided.
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The project joins a second year of construction on Interstate 90 in McCook County as major projects on Interstate 90 this summer. The $37.5 million construction project resumed in late March to rebuild the westbound lanes of I-90 from Salem to Humboldt. The eastbound lanes along the same stretch were replaced in 2021.
A single lane is open in each direction for 15 miles while work is taking place, as two bridges and one box culvert are being replaced and another two bridges are being resurfaced. Major construction will be completed by Nov. 18, with permanent lane striping to be done in 2023.
Currently, the westbound lanes for exits 364 (Salem) and 374 (Montrose) are closed, along with exit 368 (Canistota), which will be closed all season until the reconstruction is complete. The Salem and Montrose exits are expected to re-open in late April or early May once temporary asphalt exits can be paved.
