I-229 Overpass Taking Shape

Drivers will soon have one more option to go south over Interstate 229 in Sioux Falls.  The state has started work on the Solberg Avenue overpass. It will connect 69th Street and 57th Street and those who work in that area can't wait.

It doesn't look like much now, but by this time next year, this dusty road will be a major access road over Interstate 229.

Krystal Hermanson, who works for an engineering firm in this area , can't wait because the new overpass will be a time saver for her.

"I live right in town in Harrisburg, so I come to work everyday up Louise, but it's a pretty crowded street, so it'll be nice to have another option that's a little faster," Hermanson said.

The overpass won't have on and off ramps, but it will be four lanes, which will help move traffic and ease some of the gridlock when people come to and from work.

"I live down by 69th and Western; it's going to be nice to get across the Interstate having the two entrances on to 69th to get out of here.  It should alleviate a lot of the traffic that heads out of here to the north," Mike Fisher said.

Hermanson says she wishes it would have been done years ago.

"57th Street, when they did the reconstruction on that last year, it was ridiculous.  Nobody could make it to work on time because everything was backed up and there's so much new business in this area.  It's really developing here; it'll come in handy for all of us in this area," Hermanson said.

The total cost of the project is $6 million and is scheduled for completion in July of next year.