Karla Engle

The Commission addressed various bid letting results for highway and construction projects, including infrastructure improvements for intersections, lighting, pavement resurfacing, bridge repairs, crack leveling, and mowing services. Several contracts were awarded for projects across various counties, with one project noted for being the highest dollar amount awarded in the history of the Department of Transportation. A motion was also passed to reject a specific mowing and weed spraying bid.

The meeting included reports on state legislation affecting the Department of Transportation budget, loan programs for airport infrastructure, and requirements for consulting the Commission on the transfer or disposal of state-owned aircraft. The Commission also evaluated a request for the purchase of new aircraft and equipment for the Department of Public Safety. Policy discussions focused on amending the funding policy regarding revenue-producing projects, and the Commission approved the purchase of marker cones to improve airport safety and a grant application for a terminal expansion project in Sioux Falls.

The commission held a public hearing regarding amendments to speed zone rules in Lincoln County and approved the proposed changes to enhance safety. Key items discussed included a federal grant for the SD44 bridge replacement project, updates on federal surface transportation bills, and the Department's assumption of NEPA authority. The commission approved a funding agreement with the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks for collector road improvements, reviewed numerous construction change orders, approved several bridge dedications for fallen veterans, reviewed and approved various bid letting results, and authorized revisions to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

The Commission discussed several administrative and project-related items. Key topics included setting a public hearing date for speed zone rule amendments, hearing public input regarding land acquisition and safety concerns, receiving the Secretary's Report on state and federal transportation funding and legislative updates, and reviewing construction change orders and bid letting results. Additionally, the Commission considered and approved right-of-way property abandonment and utility easement requests, reviewed informational STIP revisions, and participated in a presentation regarding STIP procedures. An executive session was held for legal consultation.

The 2024 South Dakota Strategic Highway Safety Plan is a multi-disciplinary, five-year roadmap designed to eliminate all deaths and life-changing injuries on the state's public roads. It focuses on nine emphasis areas including Lane Departures, Unbelted Vehicle Occupants, Drug & Alcohol-Related Driving, Intersections, Aggressive & Speed-Related Driving, Motorcycles, Older Drivers, Young Drivers, and Distracted Driving. The plan leverages a data-driven approach, the Safe System Approach, and the four Es of Traffic Safety (Education, Enforcement, Engineering, and Emergency Medical Services) with the primary goal of reducing traffic fatalities to 100 or fewer and serious injuries to 400 or fewer by 2029.