City sets road projects for next year

The city of Sioux Falls unveiled a series of major road construction projects that are set to take place next year, including the widening of streets, a bridge replacement project and more pedestrian-friendly downtown streets.

"2015 was a big year for street construction projects that truly added traffic capacity and made for smoother commutes for Sioux Falls residents and visitors," City Engineer Chad Huwe said Thursday. "Next year will be another ambitious year for street construction, but we laid a lot of the groundwork this year to prepare for and expedite 2016's projects."

The West 12th Street bridge near Grange Avenue will be replaced with a six-lane structure. The city tried to get the project done this year along with road improvements that were completed in that area this year. But a poor bidding climate forced the Public Works Department to split up the work over two years.

West Maple Street between Career Avenue and Marion Road will be widened to four lanes, and a raised median will be installed as a part of that project as well.

Crews will spend a portion of next year's construction season paving 69th Street from Vineyard Avenue to just east of Bahnson Avenue. That project also will pave Sycamore Avenue from 57th to 65th streets, making it a four-lane road. The grading and utility work for the project was finished this year.

The Main Avenue Road Diet downtown will become permanent when crews install fixed streetscaping and other elements to make the street more pedestrian-friendly. The first phase, between Eighth and 11th streets, will be completed next year.

The city will get started on infrastructure work at Foundation Park in northwest Sioux Falls. Grading and utility improvements will happen along North Marion Road from Interstate 90 to 259th Street. Paving won't happen until 2017.