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.

Users of Highway 385 can expect temporary road closures causing up to one hour of delay during rock blasting and subsequent rockfall cleanup.

• 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.

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.

• 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.