Current Construction

• Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.
• The intersection of Custer Gulch Road and U.S. Highway 385 has been temporarily moved 300 feet to the north. A temporary diversion is in place while the contactor places a pre-cast box culvert.
• In addition to daily use, the contractor is utilizing night crews with pilot cars approximately one mile north of Sheridan Lake Road as underground pipe installation takes place.
• Roadway grading is taking place between Sheridan Lake Road and McCurdy Gulch Road.
• Rock blasting in the project area continues through the fall. During blasts, traffic will be managed with a pilot car, and there may be wait times of up to 15 minutes.

Upcoming Construction

• Over the winter, the roadway within the construction area will be a combination of pavement, blotter (hard, packed roadway surface that resembles asphalt), and gravel driving surfaces. Gravel will be in place from Wrinkle Valley Road to 1/2-mile from South Sanders Ranch Road.

Closure

On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, U.S. Highway 385 from the south end of Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road closes to through traffic. The road will reopen on Friday, March 6, 2026. This road closure is part of the Highway 385 construction project taking place from the south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road. Local access to Victoria Lake Road and McCurdy Gulch Road will be maintained.

Detour

The posted detour will be S.D. Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 16. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) recommends that travelers exercise caution when using non-maintained roadways.

Recreation Facility Impacts

• Pactola Reservoir north and south accesses will remain open. To access Pactola Reservoir North Boat Ramp, approach from the north. To access Pactola Reservoir and nearby facilities from the south via Custer Gulch Road, approach from the south.
• Pactola Visitor Center is closed for the season.

Emergency Services

Emergency services are aware of these closures and are closely collaborating with the contractor to provide response coverage.