Sioux Falls 41 Street Bridge Open-Bike Trails Still Closed

by Danielle Dupuy, Reporter
July 26, 2010


Construction on the 41st Street Bridge may be over, but that doesn't mean bikers can now hit the trails in that area. The bike trail in Sioux Falls is still closed from South of 41st Street to the Minnehaha Country Club. KDLT's Danielle Dupuy talks with the city's principal engineer to explain why.

Danielle Dupuy: "The 41st Street Bridge Construction project is finished, but construction in Sioux Falls continues. Behind me you can see crews working on a dam at Skunk Creek and the Big Sioux River. Here to tell us about the Levee Project is Tom Berkland, the city's principal engineer. Tom, how will this affect the bike trails?"

Tom Berkland: "They're building a dam to control water backing up into the Big Sioux River. Right now they're on the West side, then once they're finished they'll go to the east side and the bike trail will be removed. The heavy equipment will be on the other side."

Dupuy: "Why is this project important for homeowners?"

Berkland: "Once the project is done, people in this area will be protected by the levees and will no longer need to buy flood insurance at the higher rate. When they're done the cost of insurance will go down dramatically."

Dupuy: "Folks remember to not pass those signs. The city tells us they are there for your safety and they don't want anyone entering into those construction zones."

The city is planning on opening some of the bike trail, once the contractor has finished paving the path under 41st Street. The Levee Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.