SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The busy construction season in Sioux Falls is causing delays and detours across the city, making travel a bit more challenging for commuters and residents alike. With several major projects underway, including the significant rebuilding of the Cliff Avenue interchange at I-229, drivers are urged to plan ahead and stay informed.

“Rebuilding the Cliff Ave interchange at I-229 right now and now over the summer. Right now we’ve completely closed Cliff Avenue,” said Sioux Falls Traffic Operations Engineer Heath Hoftiezer. Due to this closure, motorists are rerouted to Minnesota Avenue, which is now handling an additional 10,000 vehicles each day.

To ease the increased traffic, the city has implemented several traffic signal adjustments. “Increased the guaranteed amount of green time for north-south traffic at all of the intersections along the corridor and lined them up so that in the AM there’s a really big push of kind of, like you call it, green space for the cars to get into it to drive northbound in a really big one. Southbound in the P.M. peak,” Hoftiezer explained.

Meanwhile, construction on Veterans Parkway continues with major detours on the east side. Soon, a new overlay project will begin on West 12th Street from Ellis Road to Marion Street, bringing lane restrictions for much of the summer. “We’re going to be doing an overlay on West 12th St. So basically, from Ellis Rd. to Marion, we’ll have lane restrictions out there starting in a couple of weeks that’ll be going for most of the summer,” Hoftiezer noted.

City officials recommend that drivers reduce stress during this period by allowing extra travel time and avoiding peak hours if possible. The busiest travel times are between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and around 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

Hoftiezer also shared that the city and state coordinate annually to review and troubleshoot traffic issues caused by ongoing projects. “There’s a lot of investment going on to make these interchanges better, which still really be big improvements long term,” he said.

Looking ahead, once the Cliff Avenue project wraps up in 2026, the city will move forward with creating a new intersection at Minnesota Avenue and I-229. The demolition of the Taylor Oil building currently underway will clear space for a new interstate exit ramp, which is expected to improve traffic flow and access in that area.

Despite the long-term benefits, Hoftiezer cautioned drivers that with improved roads often come new concerns. “That’s when sometimes we’ll start getting people the speed complaints and things like that on the road,” he said.

For the latest updates, commuters are encouraged to check traffic apps like Google Maps before heading out, stay alert to detours, and practice patience as Sioux Falls works to improve its transportation infrastructure.

Originally reported by Beth Warden in Dakota News Now.