South Dakota Approves $3.5M for 40 Local Bridge Projects, Including Codington, Grant, Deuel and Roberts Counties

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The South Dakota Transportation Commission has approved funding for 40 local bridge projects totaling approximately $3.5 million, advancing design and engineering work for communities across the state.

The awards were finalized during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Thursday in Pierre.

SDDOT Secretary Joel Jundt said the investments reflect the essential role local bridges play in daily life across South Dakota.

“Safe and efficient access to destinations such as schools, hospitals, farms, and ranchlands are critical to our way of life in South Dakota,” Jundt said. “With over 80,000 miles of roadway and 5,700 bridges across our state, sound and timely investments like these ensure our communities continue to thrive both today and into the future.”

Federal Highway Funding: 12 Projects Added to 2027–2030 STIP

A total of 108 applications were submitted statewide. Of those, 70 applications sought project design funding through federal highway dollars. The commission approved 12 projects, totaling approximately $2.08 million, for inclusion in the 2027–2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Approved project sponsors include:

·        Gregory County

·        Yankton County

·        City of Gary (two projects)

·        Roberts County (one project)

·        Spink County (one project)

·        Grant County (two projects)

·        Meade County (one project)

·        Codington County (one project)

·        Deuel County (one project)

·        McCook County (one project)

Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG): 24 Projects Added to 2026–2029 STIP

The commission also reviewed 38 applications for preliminary engineering work through the Bridge Improvement Grant (BIG) program. Twenty‑four projects, totaling approximately $1.4 million, were approved for addition to the 2026–2029 STIP.

County recipients include:

·        Beadle County (two projects)

·        Butte County (two projects)

·        Codington County (two projects)

·        Deuel County (one project)

·        Grant County (two projects)

·        Hughes County (two projects)

·        Lincoln County (four projects)

·        Minnehaha County (two projects)

·        Moody County (one project)

·        Perkins County (one project)

·        Roberts County (two projects)

·        Union County (two projects)

·        Yankton County (one project)

Next BIG Application Deadline

Applications for the next round of the Bridge Improvement Grant program — Preservation and Replacement category — are due Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027.

For more information, applicants may contact Doug Kinniburgh at 605‑773‑4284 or visit the BIG program page at the South Dakota Department of Transportation: https://dot.sd.gov/doing-business/local-governments/bridge-improvement-grants

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