More orange barrels will spring forth on Monday with the promise of traffic delays. The project will ensnare a well-traveled thoroughfare.

Coming June 8, northbound motorists on I-29 will be first to endure the construction of temporary driving lanes on Interstate 29 from the Tea interchange to 49th Street. The work is being done in preparation for the reconstruction of the I-29 and I-229 interchange to be constructed next year.

Overall, the goal is to disrupt traffic as little as possible. "During peak traffic times we want to have two lanes of traffic throughout the course of the project," says Mike Heiberger of the South Dakota DOT. "After 9:00 AM the contractor will come in and put up a lane closure. We will put up 26 feet of temporary surface on the east side of the northbound lanes."

Heiberger does not anticipate any width restrictions during this portion of the project. Things will not get hot and heavy until next year. "The work being done this year is to be prepared to start the major reconstruction as soon as possible in 2016."

The construction will include grading of both lanes, building crossovers, asphalt surfacing and installation of a temporary bridge over the I-229 southbound ramp. When fully complete in 2016, there will be a solid six lanes of traffic from Exit 84 south to Exit 73.

Traffic will be maintained with the use of lane closures through the work area. The project is anticipated to be completed by early November 2015. The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds you to slow down through the work zone and be aware of construction equipment and workers adjacent to the driving lane.

 

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