Federal grant money assists Rapid City with railroad enhancements and road improvements

RAPID CITY – There are some long-awaited transportation projects that will soon be coming to fruition, all of them either partially or fully funded thanks to federal partnership. At a recent Planning Commission meeting, officials announced a major win for Rapid City – a $1.1 million federal grant to enhance railroad crossing safety throughout the downtown area. The grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, will fund a comprehensive study and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving safety for both vehicles and pedestrians at railroad crossings. “The best thing about the RAISE grant is there is no local match required so it’s 100-percent federal funds and none of that money comes out of our city budget, “said Long Range Planning Manager Kip Harrington.

The grant comes on the heels of the city’s successful application, which was a collaborative effort between Public Works, Engineering, Community Development, and Grants divisions. Harrington expressed the significance of the award, stating, “We just found out about this last week, and we are in the process of figuring out how we need to move forward with this, because we’ve never received one of these grants before. So that was a very, very good collaborative effort between all the departments involved.

The project will focus on the downtown corridor, starting at Maple Avenue on the east and extending to 11th Street on the west. This area has long been a concern for city officials, as the numerous railroad crossings pose safety risks for both motorists and pedestrians navigating the busy streets. The grant will allow the city to conduct a comprehensive study to identify the necessary improvements to increase safety at these crossings.

Harrington also reviewed other projects and upcoming opportunities for people to learn more. The Rapid City Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is required annually to develop the Transportation Improvement Program or TIP. The TIP includes projects that are taking place within the MPO area. These are included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP).

Transportation planning requires agreements and planning across city, county, state and federal agencies, as well as public agencies, citizens’ groups, private transportation providers and representatives from various transportation entities. It can take years sometimes to coordinate the planning and funding. Long-range planning is imperative. Public involvement is also an important component of the TIP process. Public meetings are required and citizens are given the chance to ask questions and make comments.

Harrington explained the purpose of the TIP is to outline all the upcoming transportation projects over the next 4 years. “We put together all of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) projects, the city projects, the county projects of regional significance and put those in the TIP.” Also included are explanations of requirements, product selection, financial constraints and funding mechanisms. Harrington encouraged residents to look at the TIP draft report for fiscal years 2025-2028 which is now available online, before the final is presented in August.

Harrington also encouraged residents to tune into one of the upcoming virtual STIP meetings. In the past, the DOT hosted the meetings in person, usually at a large conference room where staff would give a big presentation, but attendance has decreased dramatically. So, the DOT decided this year to hold these meetings completely virtually. The first will be held on Tuesday July 16 at 1 p.m., with a second opportunity on Thursday July 18 at 6 p.m. The DOT will provide an overview of the state’s upcoming transportation projects over the next four to five years. “You’ll be able to submit questions virtually, and they will answer those as well,” said Harrington.

Some of the key transportation projects highlighted in the STIP include the US Highway 16 Catron Boulevard interchange, which is slated to begin in 2026 and continue through 2028. Another is the reconstruction of Exit 63, also known as Dusters Corner, near the edge of Box Elder. This $100 million project will convert the current half-interchange into a diverging diamond interchange, similar to the one on La Crosse Street. It’s expected to start in 2027 and will take about three years to complete.

Harrington also mentioned that the city is currently working with Box Elder and Pennington County on a corridor study for Highway 1416 and Radar Hill Road, which will tie into the new interchange and improve accessibility to Ellsworth Air Force Base.

In addition to the STIP projects, Rapid City is also focusing on local infrastructure improvements, including the Sheridan Lake Road reconstruction, which is the city’s most significant project currently underway. Other notable projects include work on Skyline Drive, the West Main/Jackson Boulevard intersection reconstruction, and an experimental road stabilization project on Longview Road.

Planning Commission member Eiric Heikes asked about Transportation Alternative (TA) projects. TA is a program that uses federal transportation funds designated by Congress for specific activities that enhance inter-modal transportation systems. Harrington said there are some TA projects scheduled in Box Elder but none for Rapid City. “I know the city of Rapid City has applied for Transportation Alternative grants lately, but we have not been successful in receiving those. It’s a very competitive program throughout the state. In my experience, a project has to be shovel-ready and has to be at least 50-percent funded from local which is more than the required 20-percent match for it to have a chance to be awarded by the committee that selects these projects.”

Planning Commission member Karen Bulman asked if there was a redo planned for the Cambell and East North Street intersection. While there is a corridor study in place that identifies some recommended improvements and alternatives for that intersection, Harrington said that intersection is not on the city’s 5-year plan.

Harrington said they are also currently working on a Safe Street and Roads Action Plan for which the city just received an award. This will fund the development of a comprehensive Safety Action Plan for the community and will look at all modes of transportation and safety throughout the community. “That will give us a list of areas that need improvements with recommended improvements and that will allow us to apply for an additional grant money opportunity out of a separate pool of money that is specifically reserved for safe streets and roads for all.”

Because there are so many projects, some which are quite large, and contractor availability has been difficult due to the work happening at EAFB, City staff say they are trying to be predictive about the projects. There is the 5-phase reconstruction of Wonderland Drive, the first of which is expected to be bid later this year. Sheridan Lake Road, Catron Boulevard and relocation of Promise Road remain some of the larger projects. Residents can expect to see more street rehabs, like the repaving of Seventh Street expected to begin in just a few weeks.

Harrington also said they are currently studying the Cambell Street overpass. A study was done a few years ago to look at reconstruction of the overpass. One of the solutions the emerged from the study suggested moving the rail yard that exists along Cambell Street. Harrington said he is currently researching that possibility. “Instead of using money to reconstruct the overpass, we determined it might be more efficient for the city to move the rail yard, so we don’t need an overpass.”

Between the railroad crossing safety project and Safe Streets and Roads, Rapid City received a total of $1.3 million dollars in grant funding.

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

 

The post Federal grant money assists Rapid City with railroad enhancements and road improvements first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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