APRIL 11, 2024:
Next week (week of April 15, 2024), work will resume on the $8.67 million reconstruction project at the intersection of U.S. Highways 14 and 83, four miles west of Blunt, commonly known as the Blunt Junction.
According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation, traffic will be in a two-way configuration on a combination of temporary and permanent surfacing. Traffic speeds will be reduced to 45 mph through the project boundaries to help protect the traveling public and the workers in the construction zone.
Traffic will be unobstructed for the majority of operations, which include existing concrete removal and grading. Drivers should be aware that flaggers will be needed to assist traffic entering and exiting the work site. Motorists can expect 10 minute delays during concrete paving when flaggers and a pilot car will be used. A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect for duration of the project.
There will be a period of time when the eastbound turn lane on Highway 14 to go north onto Highway 83 will not be available. Traffic will have to turn left from the driving lane, so motorists should approach the intersection prepared to slow or stop for left-turning vehicles.
Find more information about this project on the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/blunt-junction-pcn-06k7.
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APRIL 15, 2023:
The intersection improvement construction project at the Blunt Junction is scheduled to begin Monday (April 17, 2023).
The work at the intersection of US Highways 83 and 14 will start with dirt work. The contractor will be stripping topsoil and hauling dirt to this location. The traveling public should be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the project site.
As the $8.67 million project progresses to the west, the contractor will continue to haul material in the ditch adjacent to the shoulder of the road. The material will be shaped and surfaced to allow for two-way traffic.
Traffic will then be switched to this temporary surface as the contractor begins removal of the existing road surface in preparation for the new concrete. Upon completion of the new lane and shoulder, traffic will be switched back to use the new pavement. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph in that work zone to help protect the traveling public and the construction employees.
During all operations (grading and paving) traffic will be unimpeded, but drivers should be aware of flaggers who will assist construction traffic to cross the road. Motorists can expect some minor delays during this construction project.
The project completion date is Nov. 15, 2023.
Find more information about this project on the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/blunt-junction-pcn-06k7.
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MARCH 30, 2022:
The South Dakota Department of Transportation says shoulder work will start Monday (April 4, 2022) on US Highway 83 North and US Highway 14 east of Blunt Junction. The work is the continuation of the shoulder repair portion of the pavement rehabilitation project started last fall.
The $1.2 million project consists of reestablishing the gravel shoulders from the Blunt junction north on US Highway 83 to Onida and east on US Highway 14 to mile marker 254.
The contractor has approximately one mile left to complete on Highway 83 north and approximately five miles on Highway 14. During the operation, traffic will be carried through the work zone with the use of flaggers and a pilot car as needed. The traveling public will want to stay vigilant when traveling through the work zone. Safety of the traveling public and the contractor’s staff are the number one priority.
The contractor anticipates that it will take approximately three to four weeks to complete the shoulder work on these sections of road.
This project has an overall completion date of July 22, 2022.
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JULY 15, 2021:
The South Dakota Department of Transportation says that work will tentatively begin Monday (July 19, 2021) on a pavement rehabilitation project on US Highway 14 from the Blunt junction east through the town of Blunt to mile marker 254.
Work will consist of joint spall repair, full and partial panel replacement, as well as sealing joints and random cracks. Work will also be completed to reestablish the gravel shoulders from the Blunt junction north on US Highway 83 to Onida and east on Highway 14 to mile marker 254.
During all operations traffic will be carried through the work zones with the use of flaggers, pilot cars, traffic signals, stop signs, and lane closures as needed. It is likely that the contractor will be working in multiple areas of the project simultaneously. The contractor will have multiple lane closures throughout the project; therefore, the traveling public will want to stay vigilant when traveling through the work zones. Safety of the traveling public and construction staff are the number one priority.
The work zones will reduce the overall road width at various locations. These areas will move frequently as sections are completed. Over-width loads will still be able to maneuver the roadway with the help of the gravel shoulder. Drivers should be aware of their surroundings and the stability of their load when traveling through work zones.
I drove through Blunt Junction just last week and noticed how congested the intersection was. I’m thrilled to hear that the intersection improvement project is finally starting on Monday! It’ll be great to have a smoother and safer commute through that area.