County Road 7-5 Slated for Month-Long Closure Due to Severe Frost-Thaw Bridge Deck Damage
- Steve Jurrens
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Codington County Highway Department has issued a formal public service announcement regarding an upcoming emergency road closure on a heavily utilized commercial thoroughfare, necessitated by structural deck degradation following previous seasonal weather shifts.
Highway Superintendent Randy Falvey announced that a critical section of County Road 7-5 (also designated locally as 460th Avenue) will be completely shut down to through traffic starting Monday morning, May 18, 2026. The closure will span the corridor between 169th Street and 170th Street, with engineering timelines projecting an active construction block lasting approximately one calendar month.
The closure is required to facilitate extensive structural repairs on the eastern span of the existing bridge deck. Falvey reported that severe thermal movements from a prior year’s spring frost-thaw cycle caused localized fracturing across the concrete driving surface, creating safety hazards for heavy commercial vehicles. Local traffic access will be strictly maintained for residents within the immediate boundary zone, but through transit will not be permitted.
Officials noted that the closure will directly impact hauling routes for several major gravel production pits operating in the immediate geographic vicinity. The Highway Department is coordinating directly with pit operators to establish temporary detours for heavy vehicles. Travelers are urged to exercise extreme caution and plan alternative routes well in advance of the May 18th start date.
