Road Work Blankets Sioux Falls, Here’s What’s Starting This Week

If you live in Sioux Falls, you probably don't need me to tell you this, but I'll say it anyway: Sioux Falls is basically one giant orange traffic cone right now.

Seriously! I spent part of last Wednesday morning sitting in a road construction quagmire on West 41st Street, and for more than eight minutes, it felt like my vehicle hadn't moved a single inch. You'll definitely need to put on your patience pants before getting behind the wheel in Sioux Falls.

And unfortunately, the road construction fun isn't slowing down anytime soon.

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Several new projects are getting underway around the city beginning Monday, August 31, meaning drivers across the Sioux Empire will have even more lane closures, detours, and construction zones to navigate.

Let's start with 10th Street, because apparently one construction project there wasn't enough.

A section of 10th Street between Six Mile Road and South Red Spruce Avenue is under construction. Underground utility work is being completed, and traffic will be detoured using Red Spruce Avenue and Willow Wood Street. According to Dakota News Now, that project is expected to continue through Monday, September 7.

There's another 10th Street project farther east. The outside eastbound lane of East 10th Street between Cliff Avenue and the I-229 interchange will be intermittently closed while crews make storm drainage repairs. That work is expected to last approximately three weeks, weather permitting.

Then, beginning at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, September 1, the outside westbound lane of East 10th Street will close for about 300 feet starting at Sycamore Avenue. The north sidewalk will also be closed, with pedestrians directed to the south sidewalk.

Xcel Energy crews will be replacing a power pole in the area, and fortunately, that particular project is expected to be finished by the end of the day Tuesday.

If South Marion Road is part of your daily commute, here's something for you.

The outside southbound lane of South Marion Road between Birnhamwood Drive and Lake Shore Boulevard will be closed while crews complete curb and gutter work.

That project is expected to continue through September 21.

Even downtown Sioux Falls is getting in on the construction action.

The parking lane and sidewalk on the west side of North Main Avenue, along the Old Courthouse Museum between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, will be closed while underground utility work is completed.

According to Dakota News Now, that work is expected to continue through September 11.

So, if you're headed downtown for lunch, shopping, or a visit to the Levitt or the Falls over the next few days, keep that closure in mind.

Russell Street is also about to become a little more challenging for Sioux Falls motorists. The eastbound outside lane and center lane of Russell Street between Louise Drive and Western Avenue will be closed for concrete repairs.

One eastbound lane will remain open, and turning lanes will be maintained at intersections when possible. However, drivers should expect slower traffic and potential delays in the area through approximately mid-October.

Just when you thought Sioux Falls couldn't possibly squeeze another construction project onto Minnesota Avenue, here we go.

The outside northbound and southbound lanes of South Minnesota Avenue between 69th Street and St. Andrews Drive will be closed while contractors complete concrete repairs.

The good news? Crews expect that project to take roughly one week.

Finally, South Cathy Avenue will be closed between 45th Street and 47th Street beginning Monday, August 31.

Traffic will be detoured to Terry Avenue while utility work is completed. That closure is expected to remain in place through Monday, September 7.

If you're gonna be headed across Sioux Falls for work, dropping the kids off at school, running errands, or simply trying to get from one side of town to the other, you'll want to give yourself some extra time this week.

Between 41st Street, 10th Street, Marion Road, Russell Street, Minnesota Avenue, and several other projects, getting around the Sioux Empire right now can feel a little like an obstacle course.

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So remember, with every road construction project currently underway in Sioux Falls, drivers are urged to use caution, reduce their speed while travelling near construction areas, and consider taking alternate routes whenever possible to ensure you arrive on time.