News Stories

Counties, tribes can add winter information to SD511 - 12/5/2024 Keloland

December 06, 2024
From interstate closures to snowy state highways, the South Dakota Department of Transportation’s 511 system has all sorts of information for travelers. Now, another tool on SD 511 may come in handy when winter weather hits. “Definitely an exciting feature that we’re rolling out this year on SD 511,” SDDOT Director of Operations Craig Smith said. Counties and tribes can now designate their areas as ‘no travel advised’ or ‘roads closed’ on SD 511. “The more information we have so drivers can make...

South Dakota DOT Celebrates the Opening of Sioux Falls' Second Diverging Diamond Interchange - Nov. 2024 - Western Builder

November 20, 2024
South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) Secretary Joel Jundt and Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken were joined by federal, state, and local leaders to highlight the opening of the Interstate 229 and Benson Road Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The interchange is now functioning in each direction as a one-lane DDI. Additional lanes of traffic through the interchange will be open before the entire project is completed in June 2025. This project was develope...

SDDOT hosts 5th Annual Snowplow Naming Contest 11/13/2024 Keloland

November 18, 2024
The South Dakota Department of Transportation is hosting its 5th Annual Snowplow Naming Contest. Twelve new snowplows are in the running to be named. The SDDOT poked some fun at KELOLAND Meteorologist Scot Mundt, saying in a social media post, “KELOLAND Meteorologist, Scot Mundt, didn’t win last year with his “Mundt Machine” submission, but he has already submitted his name for the contest this year!”Read the full story here

SDDOT snowplow naming contest underway - 11/12/2024 SDPB

November 12, 2024
The state Department of Transportation invites the public to come up with their best names for the state's snowplows. The fifth annual Snowplow Naming Contest is now open. The contest draws an average of 700 submissions every year. Last year’s winners included “South Da-Snow-Ta,” “Salt-o-saurus-Rex,”  and “Frostimus Prime.” The contest runs through Friday, Dec. 6. Learn more and find the contest entry form here.

South Dakota DOT Opens Key Highway Intersection - 11/8/2024 AASHTO Journal

November 12, 2024
The South Dakota Department of Transportation recently hosted an event highlighting the partial opening of Diverging Diamond Interchange or DDI where I-229 and Benson Road converge in Sioux Falls. The agency said in a statement that intersection is now functioning in each direction as a one-lane DDI, with additional lanes of traffic through the interchange slated to open before the entire project is completed in June 2025. Sometimes called a “double crossover diamond,” DDIs are grade-separated i...