Construction Updates

Current Construction

• U.S. Highway 385 is open to traffic from the south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road while construction work in the area continues. Travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, and narrowed driving lanes.
• The contractor is currently laying base material from Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road.
• A box culvert near Custer Gulch Road has been removed, and the contractor is currently installing the new culvert.
• The contractor is utilizing night crews with pilot cars approximately one mile north of Sheridan Lake Road as underground pipe installation takes place. Additionally, a night crew with pilot cars is working throughout the project area on roadway grading.
• Roadway grading is taking place between Sheridan Lake Road and the north end of the project and along Victorica Lake Road.

Upcoming Construction

• Throughout the next few weeks, rock blasting is taking place approximately one mile north of Sheridan Lake Road. Traffic will be managed with a pilot car and wait times up to 15 minutes.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The road closure between Sheridan Lake Road and Be Still Road is complete. U.S. Highway 385 from the south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road is open to traffic. Construction is ongoing, and travelers may encounter pilot car lines with wait times, loose gravel surfaces, and narrowed driving lanes.

Current Construction

• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) is in effect through Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. During this time, the road is closed to all through traffic. Access to Be Still Road will be maintained from the north end of the closure with a pilot car as needed. The posted detour is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16.
• Outside of the closure, but still within the Phase 2 construction area (south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road), travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, and narrowed driving lanes.
• The contractor is utilizing night crews with pilot cars approximately one mile north of Sheridan Lake Road as underground pipe installation takes place.
• South Beach, South Campground, and the Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier parking lot remain open and can be accessed by approaching on Highway 385 from the south.
• Rock blasting is taking place in the closure areas, and travelers may notice more noise and dust in the area.

Upcoming Construction

• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• All construction on U.S. Highway 385 is paused for the Sturgis Rally. Work resumes on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

Upcoming Construction

• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• All lanes will be open to unimpeded traffic in both directions.
• The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph through the project area.
• All road surfaces are existing asphalt or a temporary hard surface and will be monitored daily by the contractor.
• Temporary hard surfacing, known as blotter, may become slick when wet; please take care when traveling during or after inclement weather.
• Construction activities will be paused from Wednesday, July 30, 2025, through Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.

Upcoming Construction

• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• The contractor is applying blotter to the roadway surface from Calumet Road to Horse Creek Road, in preparation for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
• Phase 1 (Pennington-Lawrence County Line to the north end of Pactola Dam) permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed, with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
• The contractor is beginning to work near the Victoria Lake Road intersection, including the grading and installation of a new driveway for Victoria Lake Road to replace the existing access. No traffic impacts are in place at this time.
• Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.

Upcoming Construction

• The contractor will open all lanes to unimpeded traffic and work will be paused from Wednesday, July 30, 2025, through Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. All driving surfaces will be existing asphalt surface or a temporary hard surface by Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
• Overnight construction activities are also taking place in the Phase 2 construction area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• Throughout the Phase 2 construction area, from the south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road, expect sections of gravel surface that are loose and may become slippery when wet. Motorcycles and trailers are advised to travel with caution through the construction area.
• Phase 1 (Pennington-Lawrence County Line to the north end of Pactola Dam) permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed, with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by mid-July 2025.
• Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.

Upcoming Construction

• The contractor will open all lanes to unimpeded traffic and work will be paused from Wednesday, July 30, 2025, through Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. All driving surfaces will be existing asphalt surface or a temporary hard surface by Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
• Overnight construction activities are also taking place in the Phase 2 construction area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• Throughout the Phase 2 construction area, expect sections of gravel surface that are loose and may become slippery when wet. Motorcycles and trailers are advised to travel with caution through the construction area.
• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) has ended, and the roadway is open to traffic as of 6 a.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025. The roadway conditions include gravel surface and the use of pilot cars and flaggers, with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes.
• Milling will take place beginning the week of Monday, June 16, 2025, from approximately one-half mile north of Sheridan Lake Road to Wrinkle Valley Road. Travelers can expect the use of pilot cars and flaggers, with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Phase 1 permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed, with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by mid-July 2025.
• Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.

Upcoming Construction

• The contractor will open all lanes to unimpeded traffic and work will be paused from Wednesday, July 30, 2025, through Monday, August 11, 2025, for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. All driving surfaces will be existing asphalt surface or a temporary hard surface by July 23, 2025.
• Overnight construction activities are also taking place in the Phase 2 construction area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, October 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, October 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Current Construction

• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) is in effect through Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time, the roadway in the closure area will not be open to through traffic.
• Outside of the closure area, but still within the Phase 2 construction area (south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road), travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier and parking lot are both closed until Friday, June 13, 2025. Fishing access from Dakota Point and Sheridan Lake Campground will not be impacted.
• Phase 1 permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by mid-July 2025.
• Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.

Upcoming Construction

• Overnight construction activities are also taking place both within and outside of the Closure D project area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Controlled Rock Blasting Scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and Thursday, May 29, 2025: Expect One Hour Delays

• On both Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and Thursday, May 29, 2025, the contractor will be conducting controlled rock blasting to remove rock material. During each of these controlled detonations, U.S. Highway 385 from Clear Creek Road to Horse Creek Road will be closed to through traffic for up to one hour.

How to Stay Up to Date:

• A free text-in service is being used to communicate temporary road closures due to rock blasting, when the road opens, and any additional delays. To subscribe, simply text "US385" to 605-566-4041. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time.

Current Construction

• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) is in effect through Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time, the roadway in the closure area will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure area, but still within the Phase 2 construction area (south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road), travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier and parking lot are both closed until Friday, June 13, 2025. Fishing access from Dakota Point and Sheridan Lake Campground will not be impacted.
• Phase 1 permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by mid-July 2025.
• Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.

Upcoming Construction

• Overnight construction activities are also taking place both within and outside of the Closure D project area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
• MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Saturday, May 24, 2025, through Monday, May 26, 2025, Closure D will remain in place, but construction will be paused outside of the closure. U.S. Highway 385 from the Pennington-Lawrence County line to Sheridan Lake Road will be open to unimpeded traffic.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Overnight Construction Works Scheduled for U.S. Highway 385 from Sheridan Lake Road to Pactola Dam

On Monday, May 5, 2025, overnight construction activities are scheduled to begin on the U.S. Highway construction project from Sheridan Lake Road to Pactola Dam. Construction crews will be working overnight from 6 a.m. on Monday to 5 p.m. Saturday each week until Wednesday, July 30, 2025. While overnight construction activities are taking place, traffic will be controlled with the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes will be in place.