Traffic moves through westbound lanes next to a barge crane at work on the north side of the Pierre-Fort Pierre bridge in September 2024. (Courtesy of the South Dakota Department of Transportation)
The condition of South Dakota’s state-managed highways and bridges is expected to worsen over the next decade, state Department of Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt told lawmakers Thursday in the House Transportation Committee.
By 2034, nearly 30% of state-maintained roads are expected to be in fair or poor condition, which would exceed the department’s target of 20%. The state maintains about 8,800 miles of the 80,000 miles of roads in South Dakota. Bridge conditions are also expected to worsen, but are not expected to fall below the state’s goal of 95% of bridges in good or fair condition.
A South Dakota Department of Transportation chart shows the historical and projected road conditions in the state from 2011 through 2034. The department sets a goal of 80% of roads maintained by the state in excellent or good condition. (Courtesy of the South Dakota Department of Transportation)
Jundt said the department relies heavily on federal funding. The most recent round of surface transportation funding from the federal government came through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which expires in the fall of 2026. Reauthorization discussions are expected to begin this year.
If the federal government doesn’t provide enough funding, Jundt said, “then we’re going to be back to you, proposing some recommendations.”
A South Dakota Department of Transportation chart shows the historical and projected bridge conditions in the state from 2014 through 2034. The department sets a goal of 95% of bridges maintained by the state in good or fair condition. (Courtesy of the South Dakota Department of Transportation)
Jundt said the state has big funding needs for several Missouri River bridge projects, including replacement of the Pierre-Fort Pierre bridge, which is underway at a cost of about $50 million. The Platte-Winner bridge, which is next on the state’s list, will cost about $250 million. The Forest City Bridge near Gettysburg will cost more than $400 million.
The state has sought funding from the federal government for the Platte-Winner project, but has not been successful.
“It’s to the point where we’ve got to replace it,” Jundt said. “What is that effect going to have on the rest of our system — highways, bridges, everything?”
State legislators began their annual lawmaking session Tuesday in Pierre. It continues through March 13.
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