In South Dakota, warm weather brings construction crews, orange cones, detours and -- this year -- economic stimulus funds that will help facilitate repair of roads in the state.
South Dakota this year is slated to receive approximately $183 million in stimulus funding, which also could include money for rail infrastructure projects. According to Tom Week, region engineer at the Department of Transportation office in Mitchell, the money assigned to South Dakota will pave the way for a number of improvements and speed up their completion.
Projects earmarked in Davison County include replacing interstate fencing and railroad crossbuck signs, widening roads, flat- tening slopes, grading, resurfacing, rebuilding curb and gutter, and signalizing intersections. The extra work could possibly spawn more jobs.
On the flip side, Week said, the extra money could create an above-average amount of work zones and the need for drivers to be extra aware.
In Mitchell, DOT officials have their share of challenges, Week said, ranging from preparing traffic control plans and operation sequences for given construction projects to ensuring that "511" information remains up-to-date -- all while keeping in mind the safety of contracted workers and motorists.
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That need for awareness is being stressed this week through National Work Zone Awareness Week, recognized April 6-10. This year's theme is "Drive to Survive -- Our Future is Riding on It." In observance of the week, the DOT is expected to host a news conference today addressing work zone issues and concerns at its Rapid City office.
"The 2009 theme is very fitting for South Dakota," said Amy Brady, DOT communications manager. "South Dakota will see more construction than normal taking place on the state highway system the next couple of years due to stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."
For a statewide list of transportation projects approved for funding by the economic stimulus package, visit www.sddot.com .
