South Dakota Senate Bill SR701

South Dakota 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/23
• Refer: 2/1/23

Caption

Urging the South Dakota Department of Transportation to reconsider the three-lane proposal for State Highway 46.

Impact

The potential decrease from a four-lane to a three-lane highway raises concerns about public safety and economic implications for the Wagner area. The resolution argues that maintaining the four-lane structure is vital for ensuring safe and efficient travel, suggesting that the existing accident rates on the current highway configuration are significantly lower than similar roads in the state. With a minimal cost difference estimated between the proposed plans, advocates assert that the four-lane highway should be preserved to ensure continued support for local businesses and essential services, including emergency and healthcare responses.

Summary

Senate Resolution 701 (SR701) aims to urge the South Dakota Department of Transportation to reconsider its proposal to convert State Highway 46 from a four-lane highway to a three-lane highway, which would include a designated turning lane. This resolution comes in response to concerns raised by the community, notably the citizens of Wagner, who overwhelmingly rejected the three-lane plan during a vote by the Wagner city council. The resolution highlights the significance of the four-lane highway for multiple sectors, including tourism, healthcare access, and local economic development.

Contention

The resolution reflects a strong community sentiment that prioritizes local governance and public opinion in transportation decisions. The rejection of the three-lane proposal, demonstrated by a vote tally of 133 opposed to 64 in a city council meeting, emphasizes a significant divide between the state's transportation department and the local population's desire for infrastructure that best suits their needs. This bill underscores the complexities of state versus local decision-making in urban planning and the need for transportation policies that take community input seriously.