BROOKINGS Theres an old saying out there The left hand doesnt know what the right hand is doing that might be applicable in the wake of a recent speed reduction on the U.S. Highway 14 Bypass.
Bluntly, it appears no one has definitive information on who or what agency sought the study in the first place that led to the subsequent decision by the South Dakota Transportation Commission to decrease the speed limit. Its gone from 55 mph to 45 mph in an area that stretches from just west of Medary Avenue east across Interstate 29 to 34th Avenue.
The move, which seemingly came out of the blue, has caused something of a kerfuffle in and around Brookings, with the issue popping up in online discussions, local businesses, dark back alleys and elsewhere.
The state says in its documents that the city of Brookings made the request. That turned out to be news to the city.
The city of Brookings did not officially request a speed study on this section of the Highway 14 Bypass to the knowledge of current staff, Sherry Fuller Bordewyk, the citys public information officer, said in an email to the Brookings Register.
It was news to Brookings County, too, with Sheriff Marty Stanwick saying his office wasnt involved. As for South Dakota State University, there werent any comments from officials there, either.
As per state law, the proposed speed limit change was posted publicly for comment multiple times over a period of several months before the official change was made, Andy Hansen, a marketing and communications specialist with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, wrote in an email.
The state did pay for ads announcing the commissions meeting in several newspapers, including one in the May 1 edition of the Brookings Register.
We do notify the sheriffs office and the city offices when were doing a rule change, Hansen noted. So information was sent notice to the Brookings County sheriff and mayor and finance officer of Brookings those letters went out May 2.
The state DOT paperwork also shows the change was run by the Brookings Police Department, as well.
All that said, what was the reasoning behind the reduction in speed? Well, multiple factors, really, including increasing development along a roadway that, as time marches on, is becoming more and more a part of Brookings proper. Specifically, though, state documents indicated there were three driving factors:
- The large amount of traffic entering the bypass from SDSU
- The number of access points on the bypass east of I-29
- The presence of many trucks and farm equipment
Despite a bit of misplaced anger online what else is new? commenters overall do have a legitimate handle on an overarching point with two stoplights in city limits and a 45 mph speed limit, the Highway 14 Bypass really isnt much of a bypass, anymore.
The change didnt come without some cost to taxpayers small, really, but still totaling $1,490. Those dollars went toward removing old signs and adding new signs. The speed study itself took place on March 21, 2023.
If youre looking to stay up to date on these types of situations, then Hansen has a solution for you.
People can get on our rulemaking mailing list, so they will get written notification every time DOT is generating rules, he said. If folks want to be on that list, just send us your name/email and Karla (Engle) with our legal team can add you to the list of people who get notice of all DOT rulemaking.
Engles work email is[email protected].
He pointed out, too, that rulemaking is posted on the Open SD website found athttps://open.sd.gov/ and that folks can find out about DOT rulemaking by visiting it.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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