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Charles Mix County orders 7‑ton seasonal posting and asks state patrol for enforcement; seeks SD DOT roadway swap and improvements
Summary
Commissioners voted to post county asphalt roads at 7 tons per axle for the late‑winter season, approved a resolution requesting South Dakota Highway Patrol help enforcing speed and weight limits, and asked DOT to consider exchanging County Road 875 for a portion of SD 50 with intersection upgrades.
Charles Mix County commissioners approved seasonal weight and speed controls and sought state help enforcing them, while also advancing a request to the South Dakota Department of Transportation for a road‑swap and intersection improvements.
The board voted to post all county asphalt highways at 7 tons per axle for a seasonal weight restriction (the minutes record a typical posting window and allowance for extension in wet conditions). The posting motion was made on a motion by Commissioner Herman Peters and seconded by Commissioner Bruce Bakken; the minutes repeatedly record "All voting aye." The board also adopted a resolution formally requesting assistance from the South Dakota Highway Patrol to help enforce both speed and weight limits on county asphalt roads.
Separately the county approved a resolution asking DOT to exchange County Road 875 (a county-maintained route) for a portion of SD 50 between Wagner and the junction with County Road 875, contingent on County Road 875 being brought up to state standards and included in the Department's State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The request included a call for an intersection improvement at the junction with SD 50 to be timed with DOT resurfacing plans.
Why it matters: seasonal weight postings protect pavement in spring thaw and reduce repair costs; asking state patrol for enforcement makes the posting more enforceable. The road‑swap and STIP request, if approved by DOT, would shift maintenance responsibility and potentially secure state funds for an intersection safety upgrade.
Next steps: the county will coordinate with DOT engineers on necessary upgrades for the exchange and follow up with the Highway Patrol regarding enforcement cooperation; highway staff will post signage during the posted period and monitor road conditions.