I-90 roadwork in South Dakota on track for completion in November

Erik Kaufman, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Sep. 28—HUMBOLDT, S.D. — Roadwork on Interstate 90 between Humboldt and Buffalo Ridge, about 6 miles east of Hartford, is on schedule to be completed by the end of November, according to officials with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

"Construction has progressed very well this summer. The weather has been great for construction projects across the area," said Harry Johnston, an engineer with the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

Crews have been working to replace the westbound lanes along the stretch and have completed rebuilding the westbound bridge at the Humboldt interchange. The bridge just west of the exit 390 interchange near Hartford is expected to be replaced with a concrete box culvert as well.

The project has been underway since March and is expected to be completed within the next three months. Just recently in August, workers completed the removal and crushing of the old existing concrete pavement. The contractor, Reede Construction, Inc., graded and shaped the roadway for new surfacing and completed 10 miles of salvaged gravel cushion replacement.

Officials with the SDDOT anticipate work crews in September will continue to prepare the shoulders for new surfacing, and they also plan to complete the paving of the mainline and start placing asphalt and concrete for the shoulders and for the deceleration and acceleration lanes for the Hartford and Humboldt exchanges.

There have been some disruptions to traffic during the construction, but crews are returning the flow of traffic to normal as they complete portions of the project.

"Both the eastbound and westbound ramps at the Humboldt interchange are open to traffic. There have been short closures for work on the ramps, as well as temporary ramps and surfacing placed to maintain traffic during construction," Johnston said.

There is currently a 12-foot width restriction in place along the stretch of Interstate 90 which will be in effect until the westbound lanes are fully open to traffic. A detour takes overwidth trucks from the interchange south of Salem north and then east along Highway 38. The route then parallels the interstate until vehicles can rejoin the flow of traffic on the interstate near Hartford.

Johnston said that travelers and transport vehicles are navigating through and around the work well.

"The traffic has been moving through the work zone very well. We appreciate people's caution through the work zones to avoid both equipment and personnel," Johnston said.

Traffic on westbound lanes is currently operating on one lane, with no passing allowed and a 65 miles per hour speed limit. Officials are already looking to when they will return traffic to normal, remove the width restriction and get the traffic flow back to normal for drivers.

"Once the westbound lanes are completed, traffic will be placed on the new pavement," Johnston said, noting that SDDOT will issue a press release prior to the change in traffic flow.

As well as work has progressed up to this point, Johnston said he hopes drivers will continue to be mindful of workers and conditions as they near the finish line for the project.

"The SDDOT appreciates the patience of the traveling public during this construction project. As with any construction, please follow the posted speed limits and provide additional time to arrive at your destination safely," Johnston said.

The project is coming in at a contract cost of $35.7 million.