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Parts Of Interstates Closed In SD
by Cody Matz
December 09, 2012 1:18 PM
South Dakota officials are closing Interstate 90 between Chamberlain and Sioux Falls (both east and westbound lanes) and Interstate 29 from Sioux Falls to Sisseton (both north and southbound lanes) until further notice due to blizzard conditions.
These segments of Interstate will remain closed until conditions improve and crews are able to clear the roadway.
Officials with the state Departments of Transportation and Public Safety say widespread areas of white-out conditions with zero to near zero visibility, icy roads, as well as blowing and drifting snow are making safe travel almost impossible in many areas of the state.
“We understand that people want to be on the roads and about their business, but we ask for patience while our maintenance crews clear the roads,’’ said Greg Fuller, director of operations for the South Dakota Transportation Department. “Strong winds are expected to continue over a large portion of South Dakota into the early evening hours. That means travel will continue to be a challenge, and patience is part of making safe choices.’’
The road cameras featured in the SafetravelUSA site can be a valuable tool when making travel decisions. However, the views from the cameras can be deceiving. The cameras are mounted at a relatively high elevation and may not give a true picture of ice conditions or the severity of ground blizzards occurring at highway level. They also do not show road conditions in between areas where cameras are located.
Officials ask the traveling public to have confidence in the road conditions that have been posted to www.safetravelusa.com/sd/ and 511 and check them when making travel plans.
Though most highways in South Dakota are open, many have no travel advisories and motorists should expect difficult travel conditions until the precipitation and wind finally diminish.
Motorists are reminded that state law includes both criminal penalties and a civil fine of up to $1,000 for being on a closed highway. Motorists found traveling on closed sections of I-90 during the closure will be in violation of state law. A stranded traveler could also be charged for the cost of a rescue effort, up to $10,000. |
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