PICS: Sioux Falls 41st Street Interchange Construction Resumes

There are two seasons in Sioux Falls; winter and road construction. Winter is done (Finally!!) and now road construction projects are popping up all over town like springtime flowers. However, there is one project that has everyone talking; the 41st Street diverging diamond interchange. Phase two is underway on the bridge and this will have a huge impact on traffic.

According to the South Dakota Department of Transportation:

• Traffic on 41st Street to the east of Interstate 29 will be reduced to one lane in each direction with a center turn lane on the south side of 41st Street. Beginning east of Shirley Avenue, westbound traffic will be moved to the south side of 41st Street. Access will be maintained to all businesses located along 41st Street.
• Monitoring 41st Street intersections with live cameras and making signal adjustments in “real-time” to help traffic flow as efficiently as possible.

Yes, traffic in the construction area will be ridiculous throughout the summer, but it's not all gloom and doom. Once this project is done, the result will be a highly efficient, and safer, interchange.

Diverging diamond interchanges are strange to navigate the first few times you encounter them because you will drive in the opposite lane like you were in England. But that is the magic of the diverging diamond interchange when it comes to getting on the interstate. You won't have to wait nearly as long to turn left onto an on-ramp because you won't be crossing in front of oncoming traffic. And that's where the safer part comes in.

So it's a little pain now for a huge payoff later. By November 2023, we should have a fully functioning diverging diamond interchange in place. The finishing touches on the project will be completed in 2024.

Big thanks to Carsen Bower for flying his drone over the project. Check out his video below.