Road construction through Winner on Highway 18 resumes for 2023

WINNER, S.D. — Road construction on the main thoroughfare of Winner is resuming this week, the South Dakota Department of Transportation said.

The $21 million construction project will focus on U.S. Highway 18 this summer season, with the project expected to be completed on Nov. 17, 2023. Construction was slated to begin on Thursday, March 23.

This year, the project will take place on the western side of Winner, starting from Van Buren Street and run along Highway 18 west for 1 1/2 miles. Work on the project consists of grading, storm sewer, curb and gutter, sidewalk, lighting, utility replacement, and new concrete pavement.

When complete, the section of roadway beginning near South County Road and extending east through town will consist of a five-lane concrete surface with parking lanes on each side of the road. The section of roadway west of South County Road will consist of a four-lane concrete surface.

Reede Construction of Aberdeen is the primary contractor on the project. Weekly meetings for the public to stay informed on the project will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Winner City Council chambers.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to two lanes. During certain operations, a flagger and pilot car may be used. For the duration of the work on Highway 18, an over-width detour will be utilized on U.S. Highway 183 west of Winner and South Dakota Highway 49 east of Winner.

This is the third year that major construction has taken place on U.S. Highway 18 and South Dakota Highway 44, reconstructing the route through Winner. In 2022, construction was completed on Highway 44 to rebuild the final mile of the highway coming into the town from the east.