South Dakota Ag Connection - Rest Area Revitalization Plan Moving Forward

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Rest Area Revitalization Plan Moving Forward
South Dakota Ag Connection - 10/28/2016

The South Dakota Department of Transportation and the Department of Tourism continue to move forward with plans to upgrade the state's rest areas and tourist Welcome Centers as part of the recently published Rest Area Revitalization Plan.

Earlier this year, a task force appointed by the Governor and made up of staff from DOT and Tourism visited each of the state's 21 rest areas and proposed a three- to five-year rest area revitalization plan, which is available on the SDDOT website at www.sddot.com/resources/reports/InterstateRestAreaFinalReport.pdf.

The public was invited to provide written comments during the month of September. Numerous suggestions and ideas were reviewed and considered by the task force before making a final recommendation to the Governor on moving forward with the proposed revitalization plan.

"The task force spent several months studying the condition, functionality and accessibility of the facilities and produced an informed, well-thought out plan," says Darin Bergquist, secretary of Transportation. "They took on a challenging task and produced a plan that will serve our citizens and visitors well into the future."

On Oct. 31, the first part of the plan will go into effect with the closing of rest areas at two locations: the I-29 Hidewood rest areas near Watertown and the I-90 Tilford rest areas near Piedmont. The parking lots at both locations will still be available for public use.

"Our mission is to promote the state as a premier vacation destination to all visitors," says secretary of Tourism Jim Hagen. "By focusing our efforts on safe, accessible and modern rest areas and welcome centers, we can ensure travelers learn about our great destinations and boost the economic impact of the tourism industry for our state."

The rest area revitalization plan will bring the state's rest areas into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide more safety features, including an upgraded camera system.

Plans to construct two new Welcome Centers at the Minnesota and Iowa borders are currently underway, while other features of the plan will take place according to the recommended timeline published in the revitalization plan.

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