County signs joint-powers deal with DOT and Lake County to fix hazardous curve on County Highway 149
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Summary
The Minnehaha County Commission authorized a joint-powers agreement with the South Dakota DOT and Lake County to reconstruct a high-risk curve on County Highway 149; DOT will fund roughly 90% of design and construction and work could begin in 2027 or 2028.
Minnehaha County commissioners on Nov. 4 authorized a joint-powers agreement with the South Dakota Department of Transportation and Lake County to reconstruct a hazardous curve on County Highway 149 at the Lake County border.
Jacob Mars of the county highway department said DOT safety analysis and a cost-benefit review indicated the curve’s crash severity rating exceeded acceptable thresholds. “That came in over a 1, so it's more dangerous than it should be,” Mars said, describing the DOT evaluation.
Mars said the DOT will pick up 90% of both design and construction costs; the county and Lake County will divide remaining costs roughly by linear roadway length (about 75% Minnehaha County, 25% Lake County). Right-of-way costs will be nonparticipating and borne by individual entities, and Mars said Minnehaha County will likely need to acquire several acres of right-of-way.
Design and funding are currently budgeted for 2026–27 with construction hoped to begin in 2027 but possibly delayed to 2028 depending on design and schedule. The commission voted to authorize the chair to sign the joint-powers agreement.
Commissioners asked about how many similar curves exist in the county; Mars said roughly seven candidates exist but that the Highway 149 curve is the most severe and currently prioritized for improvement.
