Michael Behm

This document is the 2025 update to the South Dakota Department of Transportation's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan, fulfilling requirements of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The plan outlines the state's intent to re-evaluate EV charger placement for corridor build-out to achieve "Corridor Ready" status and covers unobligated funding for the period 2022-2026. It also references existing strategies for community engagement and cybersecurity from the 2024 plan.

The meeting included the election of Commission officers, resulting in Austin Simons being named Chairman and Chris Frick as Vice-chairman, effective at the next meeting. Key discussions involved Secretary Jundt's report on the federal Continuing Resolution expiring on January 30, 2026, and agency bills before the South Dakota Legislature, noting the failure of the bill to consolidate commissions. Staff presented informational Construction Change Orders (CCOs) for various projects across the Aberdeen, Mitchell, and Pierre regions, detailing numerous decreases and increases to original contract amounts, including increases for cold weather heating costs on an interchange reconstruction project in Minnehaha County. Bid letting results from January 21, 2026, were approved. The Commission approved the transfer of specific property lots to the City of Hot Springs, the abandonment of property in Clay County, and granting a permanent utility easement to East River Electric in Kingsbury County. Additionally, the Commission approved two revisions to the 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), including the splitting of reconstruction projects on US16 in the Rapid City Region. Finally, following the recusal of Commissioner Rosenboom, the Commission voted to approve the modification of the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan agreement for the City of Lemmon, increasing the loan amount to $3,000,000, extending amortization to 10 years, and requiring a debt service reserve account and a $500,000 letter of credit.

The meeting included a presentation and subsequent approval of proposed changes to the Special Provision for Price Schedule for Miscellaneous Items, specifically addressing costs for flagging and pilot car operations. The Commission also reviewed and approved bid letting results from February 4, 2026, covering four projects, including structure construction in Miner County and Stanley County, pavement and surface treatments in Charles Mix, Hanson, and Hutchinson Counties, and centerline rumble strip installation in several western counties.

The meeting focused on updates related to standard specifications and the new electronic spec book, which was rolled out with the October 7, 2025 bid letting and is now electronic only with hyperlinks and integrated updates. Key changes highlighted in Division One included rearranged and reworded language, incorporation of supplemental specifications, and special provisions like cooperation by contractor and Buy America rules. Discussions also covered new sections on contract changes (including different site conditions and notification requirements), a price schedule for miscellaneous items, fixed prices for detour maintenance items, and updated language regarding time extensions (classifying delays as excusable/non-excusable and compensible/non-compensible). Future work includes moving more existing special provisions, such as micro milling and self-consolidated concrete, into the specbook. Another significant discussion centered on alternative contracting methods (e.g., Design-Build, CMGC), with the current direction focusing on potentially using these methods for emergency procurement rather than general use due to concerns about contractor expertise and fairness. Finally, labor compliance and the methodology for determining prevailing wages were noted as being similar to previous years.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the November 25, 2025 Commission meeting minutes. Public input included concerns from a landowner regarding unpaid compensation for material use on a permanent easement. The Secretary's Report covered the federal Continuing Resolution expiration date, the status of federal bridge grant awards affecting the Platte-Winner Bridge project, and four proposed legislative bills. Key proposed bills included consolidating three transportation-related commissions into one Transportation Commission, allowing the Department to assume National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance from FHWA (requiring a waiver of sovereign immunity), modifying bid advertising requirements for combination bids with local governments, and cleaning up highway designations in Pierre along with a property transfer near Wind Cave National Park. The Commission reviewed informational Construction Change Orders (CCOs) across all regions, noting a net increase of $883,763.66 for October CCOs. The results of bid lettings from December 3 and December 10, 2025, were presented and approved. The Commission also approved resolutions for the transfer of DOT property to the City of Winner, and the abandonment of excess right-of-way property in Codington, Lincoln, and Turner Counties, as well as the disposal of excess property in Union County. Revisions to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) were reviewed, including approvals for adding local bridge replacement projects and a railroad crossing project, and several informational revisions regarding project deferrals and cost updates.