Residents press county for fixes as Homestead Street intersection snarls Rapid Valley traffic

A petition from Rapid Valley residents seeking action on traffic congestion at the Homestead Street and Elk Vale Road intersection led the Pennington County Board of Commissioners to direct staff to pursue coordination with the City of Rapid City and the South Dakota Department of Transportation on May 19, 2025.

“I started this petition. I’m a working mother to three children that go to Valley View Elementary,” said Rachel Sankey, a Rapid Valley resident who organized the change.org petition. “I spend probably over 20 minutes just sitting at that corner throughout the week, and it becomes a waste of time and a safety hazard.”

Commissioners heard that traffic congestion peaks during school drop-off and morning-commute periods and that residents are frustrated by a lack of notice and representation when changes occur under Rapid City’s three-mile planning jurisdiction. Britney Molitor, the county’s planning director, said two recurring concerns from residents are not being notified of city planning decisions and feeling they have “no say” because they do not vote in Rapid City elections.

Joe Miller, Pennington County highway superintendent, explained jurisdictional responsibilities. He told commissioners that U.S. Highway 16B (Elk Vale Road) is within SDOT’s right-of-way and that South Dakota DOT is conducting a corridor study from the interstate north through the area. “They’re willing to do the necessary upgrades on 16B, but the Homestead has to have the necessary improvements to accept the improvements that are done to 16B,” Miller said.

Commissioner Jerry Durr said the county needs a jurisdictional agreement with Rapid City to coordinate planning and infrastructure as growth moves east. Commissioner Ron Weifenbach and others urged county staff to meet with Rapid City planners; Molitor said she would review any draft and provide outside perspective. The commission did not adopt a formal intergovernmental agreement at the meeting but directed staff to pursue discussions and input into the DOT corridor study.

Durr and Molitor both flagged alternatives and deferred improvements: existing alternate routes, a future East Anamosa extension and shared approaches could help but depend on city planning and developer obligations. Miller said some subdivisions had previously waived road improvements, which complicates remedies.

The board will follow up by requesting involvement in the DOT study advisory process; Miller indicated he is on the study advisory team and commissioners said they would ask Rapid City to consider a three-mile jurisdictional agreement covering planning and infrastructure coordination.

Ending: Commissioners asked staff to open discussions with Rapid City planners and SDOT and to return with options; residents seeking interim relief were advised to continue communicating with county and city staff while studies and intergovernmental talks proceed.