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Rapid City panel backs reading-in of Elgin Street traffic study after debate over outsourcing
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Summary
The Rapid City Public Works Committee discussed a proposed Elgin Street traffic study and whether to perform the work in-house or contract it out; staff said the city has expertise but limited capacity and the study is needed to support a 2028 construction grant.
Rapid City’s Public Works Committee on Jan. 27 debated whether to hire outside engineers or use in-house staff for a proposed Elgin Street traffic study, with members weighing cost savings against staff capacity and grant timing.
A council member asked whether the city’s internal staff could perform the study rather than spending an estimated $200,000 on outside design, calling repeated outsourcing a budgetary concern. A Public Works representative replied that the city has the technical expertise to do traffic work but currently has only one traffic engineer and limited time for a “diligent study” necessary to evaluate traffic patterns and future development impacts.
The engineer who spoke to the committee said current traffic volumes have “already exceeded what the original Rushmore Crossing traffic study had anticipated,” and added that a new nearby redevelopment and a potential Latrobe Avenue extension were not included in earlier analyses. Staff told the committee construction is planned for 2028 and is funded, and that completing a traffic impact study ahead of a grant application would strengthen the city’s funding request.
Committee members urged staff to review existing design files; one member said the city may already have original five-lane plans for the area and suggested those be revisited before contracting new work. Others, including a business representative, argued that outsourcing can be more efficient when in-house managers need timely delivery to secure grants.
The committee voted to continue a related Wonderland Drive design item to the Feb. 10 Public Works meeting and to read the Elgin Street traffic study item into the record for further discussion at upcoming meetings, allowing time for staff to compile in‑house capacity metrics and for members to review options.
Next steps: staff said they will provide more detail about in‑house capacity and the scope required for the traffic study before the committee’s Feb. 10 meeting; the city also plans to pursue grant funding linked to the study.
