Detours and delays are part of year 2 of Black Hills roadwork

Apnews - Apr 24th, 2025

The serene landscape of U.S. Highway 385 in South Dakota's Black Hills is currently transformed into a bustling construction site as a three-year, $72 million road improvement project enters its second year. The construction aims to widen and straighten a 15-mile stretch of the highway to improve safety. This project, which has already resulted in 187 crashes and four fatalities between 2018 and 2022, involves widening road shoulders, smoothing curves, and adding turn lanes. However, the ongoing roadwork has led to detours, delays, and planned closures, impacting both tourists and local businesses. The first full closure is scheduled for April 28, lasting six weeks, with two more closures expected in 2025. Despite the inconveniences, business owners like Angie Weaver of Pactola Marina remain hopeful for the future benefits of a safer, smoother highway.

The construction on U.S. 385 is crucial for the region's tourism, which generates approximately $2 billion annually. The highway connects significant sites such as Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, and Custer State Park, making it a vital artery for visitors. Although the construction poses challenges, the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association reports a 2.8% increase in spending in 2024, indicating resilience in the tourism sector. The association, along with the Department of Transportation, is working to keep the public informed and encourage visitors to plan their routes amidst the disruptions. Ultimately, the project aims to enhance road safety and improve travel experiences in the Black Hills, with local businesses adjusting their strategies to accommodate ongoing changes.

Road Construction South Dakota U.S. Highway 385 Black Hills Tourism Impact Local Businesses Safety Improvement

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing construction project on U.S. Highway 385, effectively balancing factual information with stakeholder perspectives. It accurately presents the project's scope, timeline, and impact on the local community, supported by credible sources and firsthand accounts.

While the article is timely and relevant, offering valuable insights into a topic of public interest, it could enhance its transparency and engagement by including more detailed data and encouraging reader interaction. Overall, the article succeeds in informing readers about the project's implications while maintaining clarity and neutrality.

Accuracy

The story accurately describes the ongoing construction project on U.S. Highway 385, including its scope, timeline, and impact on the local area. It mentions the project's goal to improve safety by widening the road and addressing hazardous areas, which aligns with the official project details. The article provides specific dates for road closures and detours, consistent with the project's schedule.

However, some claims, like the exact increase in tourism spending despite the construction, could benefit from additional data or references to support these assertions. The mention of 187 crashes with four fatalities also aligns with the project's safety improvement goals, but cross-referencing with official statistics would strengthen the claim. Overall, the article presents a factual and verifiable account of the roadwork and its implications.

Balance

The article balances the perspectives of various stakeholders, including local business owners, the tourism association, and the Department of Transportation. It highlights both the inconveniences faced by motorists and the positive long-term outcomes expected from the project.

While it provides a fair representation of the challenges faced by businesses and tourists, the article could include more voices from local residents or tourists directly affected by the construction. This would offer a more comprehensive view of the project's impact on the community.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the details of the construction project. It effectively breaks down complex information, such as the project's timeline and impact, into digestible sections.

The inclusion of specific dates and locations for road closures enhances the article's clarity, making it easier for readers to understand how the project might affect them. However, the article could improve by summarizing key points at the end to reinforce the main takeaways for readers.

Source quality

The article cites information from credible sources such as the South Dakota Department of Transportation and the Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association, which adds to its reliability. Quotes from local business owners and tourism officials provide firsthand insights into the project's effects.

However, the article could enhance its credibility by including direct links to official reports or data supporting its claims about accident statistics and tourism spending. This would improve the article's authority and allow readers to verify the information independently.

Transparency

The article is transparent about the sources of its information, mentioning the Department of Transportation and local stakeholders. It clearly outlines the basis for its claims, such as the project's timeline and safety objectives.

To improve transparency, the article could include more detailed explanations of how certain figures, like the $72 million project cost, were determined. Additionally, providing more context about the decision-making process behind the construction project would help readers understand the broader implications and motivations.