Construction Update as of Friday, March 7, 2025
Current Construction
- Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, and logging operations.
- The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (MT) on weekdays and some Saturdays.
- Rock blasting is anticipated to take place on U.S. Highway 385 one-half mile north of Sheridan Lake Road during the week of March 17, 2025.
- Blasting times are yet to be determined.
- The public is advised to stay away from the drilling and blasting area during this time. To avoid unknown wait times, please consider using an alternative route.
Users of Highway 385 can expect temporary road closures causing up to one hour of delay during rock blasting and subsequent rockfall cleanup.
Upcoming Construction
- Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line.
- During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to 15 minutes.
- Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025.
- During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
Construction Update as of Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
- Phase 1 construction is complete until spring 2025, when crews will place final surfacing. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line.
- Phase 2 construction operations currently involve off-road grading, tree clearing, and logging operations. The contractor is using a pilot car and flaggers as needed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. M.T. on weekdays and some Saturdays.
Upcoming Construction Updates
- Phase 1 (Pactola Dam to the Pennington-Lawrence County Line) permanent surfacing takes place this summer and will be completed by the end of July 2025. Currently, there are approximately two miles of gravel and three miles of hard surface between Pactola Dam and the Pennington-Lawrence County Line. During this time period, roadway users can expect the use of flaggers and pilot cars with delays up to 15 minutes.
- Phase 2 construction is underway and the first closure begins this spring. Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) takes effect on Monday, April 28, 2025, and ends Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time period, the closed roadway will not be open to through traffic. Outside of the closure, but within the construction area, travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
- Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.
- The posted detour for these closures is S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16.
Highway 385 Construction – The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is reconstructing a portion of U.S. Highway 385 between the Pennington-Lawrence county line and the south end of Sheridan Lake. Once completed, this section of U.S. Highway 385 will feature safety improvements, including wider shoulders on each side of the road where possible, improved road curves to meet current design standards, additional turning lanes to improve traffic flow, and new surfacing. Learn more about 385 construction below.
Alternative Routes
Don’t let something as common place as road construction derail your vacation! Highway 385 is a popular route between Deadwood and the central and southern Black Hills. However, many other options are available that add minimal travel time to your itinerary while offering scenic overlooks and historic points of interest along the way. The map below details some of these hidden gems. Other suggested options on your “Route Reimagined” are available through Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association.
Visit www.us-385.com for detailed construction timelines and detour information. The SDDOT releases road condition updates regularly HERE.
Businesses are open on 385 – Click for more information
Tomahawk Country Club
Deadwood Outdoor Rentals
Steel Wheel Campground & Trading Post
Fish N Fry Campground
Mystic Hills Hideaway – Cabins, Camping and UTV Rentals
Custer Crossing Family Campground
385 Construction Alternative Routes Map