Construction Updates

Phase 1 Surfacing Work Scheduled to begin Monday, April 21, 2025

On April 21, 2025, preparation for permanent surfacing will begin in the Phase 1 construction area of U.S. Highway 385 between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County line. Preparation for surfacing will involve the use of large construction equipment, loose gravel road surfacing, and narrowed driving lanes.

Starting the week of Monday, April 28, 2025, final asphalt paving will begin in the Phase 1 construction area. Placement of final surfacing will start at Pactola Dam and work north towards the Pennington-Lawrence County line. Traffic impacts at this time include temporary lane closures, the use of large construction equipment, loose gravel road surface, narrowed driving lanes, and wet paint. Additionally, the contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed with delays of up to 15 minutes. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

To avoid travel delays, consider using an alternate route. The recommended detour is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16.

To subscribe to the free text-in service and receive updates on major traffic changes, simply text “US385” to 605-566-4041. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time.

Current Construction

• Phase 2 construction operations currently involve grading, tree clearing, controlled rock blasting, and the removal of surfacing both from Calumet Road to Be Still Road and from McCurdy Gulch to Pactola Dam. The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) on weekdays and some Saturdays.
• The speed limit in the Phase 2 construction area has been reduced to 45 miles per hour.
• The Pactola Overlook parking lot is currently closed until Sunday, April 20.

Upcoming Construction

• On Monday, April 21, 2025, traffic will be diverted onto a 1,200-foot-long diversion with gravel surfacing, approximately one-half mile north of Sheridan Lake Road. This diversion is done to allow for construction of a box culvert. The 12-foot width restriction will remain in place.
• Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier and parking lot will be closed from Monday, April 21, 2025, until Friday, June 13, 2025. Fishing access from Dakota Point and Sheridan Lake Campground will not be impacted.
• Phase 1 permanent surfacing activities begin Monday, April 21, 2025. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed starting on Monday, April 28, 2025, with delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities will start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through-traffic. Outside of the closure, but still within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing. Construction work will also take place overnight as needed.
• 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.

Rock Blasting Scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, Expect One Hour Delay.

On April 17, 2025, rock blasting will occur on U.S. Highway 385 between Sheridan Lake Road and Calumet Road. For the safety of the traveling public, temporary road closures of up to one hour will take place on Highway 385 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. During this closure, the contractor will conduct planned detonations in rock formations and clear rockfall from the roadway. To avoid travel delays, consider using an alternate route. The recommended detour is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16. A text alert will be sent to subscribers of the free text-in service when the roadway is open to traffic or if additional delays are expected.

To subscribe to the free text-in service and receive updates on major traffic changes, simply text “US385” to 605-566-4041. Subscribers can unsubscribe at any time.

Current Construction

• Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, logging operations, and controlled rock blasting. The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) on weekdays and some Saturdays.
• The speed limit in the Phase 2 construction area has been reduced to 45 miles per hour.

Upcoming Construction

• On Monday, April 7, 2025, the contractor will begin milling (removal of the existing pavement) on U.S. Highway 385 from one-half mile south of Sheridan Lake Road to Calumet Road and from the south end of Pactola Dam to just north of McCurdy Gulch Road. Motorists can expect flaggers and pilot cars throughout the Phase 2 construction area, large machinery, narrowed driving lanes, increased noise and dust, and a loose gravel surface.
• The Pactola Overlook Parking Lot will be closed beginning Monday, April 7, 2025, through Saturday, April 19, 2025.
• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to15 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.

Milling Work to Begin

On Monday, April 7, 2025, the contractor will begin milling (removing the existing pavement) on U.S. Highway 385 from one-half mile south of Sheridan Lake Road to Calumet Road and from the south end of Pactola Dam to just north of McCurdy Gulch Road. Motorists can expect flaggers and pilot cars throughout the Phase 2 construction area, large machinery, narrowed driving lanes, increased noise and dust, and a loose gravel surface. Please drive with caution. To avoid travel delays and driving on rough surfaces, drivers are recommended to consider using an alternate route. The recommended alternative route is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16.

Current Construction

• Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, and logging operations. The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) on weekdays and some Saturdays.
• Blasting with traffic impacts is scheduled to take place beginning Tuesday, March 25, 2025, through Sunday, April 27, 2025. For more information, review the update from Monday, March 17, 2025. Users of Highway 385 can expect temporary road closures causing up to one hour of delay during rock blasting and subsequent rockfall cleanup. The public is advised to stay away from the drilling and blasting area during this time. To avoid unknown wait times, please consider using an alternative route.

Upcoming Construction

• Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet 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.

February Drone Flyover

Controlled Rock Blasting Scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, 2025, and Thursday, March 27, 2025: Expect One Hour Delay

March 25, 2025 – April 27, 2025

Beginning Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the contractor will be conducting planned rock blasting to remove rock material. During these controlled detonations, a portion of U.S. Highway 385 will be closed to through traffic for up to one hour. The following controlled rock blasts are scheduled to take place in March. Additional road closures as a result of controlled rock blasts will take place in April and will be shared at least 48 hours in advance via the project website, press release, and text message.

Scheduled Closures:

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, and Thursday, March 27, 2025

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Closure in place from Sheridan Lake Road to Horse Creek Road.

Anticipated Closures:

The contractor is anticipating additional temporary closures of Highway 385 for up to one hour at a time for controlled rock blasting in the area between Sheridan Lake Road and Horse Creek Road in March and April. Exact dates and times are unknown but will be shared at least 48 hours in advance.

Up to two temporary road closures are expected to take place between Calumet Road and Sheridan Lake Road in April. Exact dates and times are unknown but will be shared at least 48 hours in advance.

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.

Click on image to enlarge.

Current Construction

• Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, and logging operations.
• The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) on weekdays and some Saturdays.
• Rock blasting is anticipated to take place on U.S. Highway 385 one-half mile north of Sheridan Lake Road during the week of March 17, 2025.
• Blasting times are yet to be determined.
Users of Highway 385 can expect temporary road closures causing up to one hour of delay during rock blasting and subsequent rockfall cleanup.
• The public is advised to stay away from the drilling and blasting area during this time. To avoid unknown wait times, please consider using an alternative route.

Upcoming Construction

• Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line.
• During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to 15 minutes.
• Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025.
• During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.

Click on image to enlarge.

Current Construction Updates

• Phase 1 construction is complete until spring 2025, when crews will place final surfacing. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line.
• Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, and logging operations. The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. M.T. on weekdays and some Saturdays.

Upcoming Construction Updates

• Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to 15 minutes.
• Phase 2 construction is underway and the first closure begins this spring. Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
• Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet 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.
• The posted detour for these closures is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16.

Click on image to enlarge.