STURGIS, S.D. – The 80th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally begins tomorrow and many riders have already been flooding the Black Hills and the roads leading there.
Official predictions are for 250,000 visitors, down sharply from most years but still the largest crowd in the U-S since the coronavirus pandemic began.
As has been the case for many years, the South Dakota Dept of Transportation has set up temporary traffic signals at 11 locations in and near Sturgis. They begin full operation today and will stay active until Monday the 17th, the day after the rally ends.
Reduced speed limits also go in effect today on Interstate 90 from Rapid City to Sturgis, Highway 34 from Sturgis to Buffalo Chip, and Highway 79 in the Sturgis area. The lower speeds run through Sunday the 16th to provide greater safety for drivers and riders.
SDDOT will also deploy message boards and speed trailers at various locations along with the permanent I-90 dynamic message boards to display messages on traffic conditions, accidents causing delays, extreme weather events, and other topics as appropriate.
Those on the go wanting more information about the rally can turn to the free official 2020 City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally app, which provides users with all the information needed to stay current with activities taking place during the Rally.
The user-friendly app provides schedules as well as information related to entertainment, shopping, lodging, dining, parking, event history, and more. To download the free app, simply search for Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and install on Google Play or the Apple Store.
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Junction of S.D. 34/79 and Ft. Meade Main Entrance
Junction of S.D. 34 and S.D. 79 east of Sturgis
Junction of S.D. 34 and Ft. Meade Way
Junction S.D. 44 and U.S. 385
Junction U.S. 16 and U.S. 385
S.D. 34/79 & 11th Street
I-90 Exit 32 WB ramp
I-90 Exit 55 EB ramp
I-90 Exit 32 EB ramp
S.D. 34/79 & Glencoe Drive
S.D. 34/79 & Nellie Avenue
TEMPORARY LOWER SPEED LIMITS
Interstate 90 speed limit will be reduced from 75 mph to 65 mph from west of Exit 55 (Deadwood Avenue) in Rapid City to west of Exit 30 (Lazelle Street) in Sturgis.
Highway 34 speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph and 65 mph to 35 mph from Blanche Street in Sturgis east 3.8 miles (east of Buffalo Chip).
Highway 79 speed limit will be reduced from 65 mph to 45 mph betwee the junction with Highway 34 (north of Iron Horse Campground) and the intersection with Bighorn Rd (near Full Throttle Saloon and Drag Pipe Saloon approaches).