Phase 1 of the South Dakota Dept. of Transportation’s (SDDOT) Highway 385 construction project began this past spring. Although, progress will be slowed until January 6th, 2025 in the absence of flaggers and pilot cars.
According to SDDOT’s us-385.com website, the highway’s construction timeline has been divided into 5 parts. The first step began in 2023 with community and stakeholder outreach.
The second and still-ongoing step is Phase 1 Construction from the Pennington-Lawrence County Line to Pactola Dam. Work in that region will continue through winter of 2025. Full project completion is expected by 2027 where the final step of surfacing the roadway will be implemented.
But due to no flaggers or pilot cars being used, the first phase of construction will be slowed temporarily. Instead, control signage will be utilized until pilot cars and flaggers return.