Plans unveiled for Bridge replacement, additional FSST green infrastructure projects

More details were released this past week about the funding that will help complete the long-awaited Crescent Street Bridge in downtown Flandreau.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (FSST) revealed that a portion of a nearly $20 million Community Change Grant will go toward replacing the vehicle and pedestrian bridge.
The FSST Environmental Advancement Project will, create a zero-emission transportation corridor to replace the Crescent Street Bridge, the tribe stated in a recent press release.
Preliminary plans include a fishing area on the west side of the bridge, a two-lane road, and a biking and walking path on the east side.
This corridor will provide clean transportation options and other infrastructure improvements, including ADA-accessible mobility options, said tribal spokesman Francis Wakeman.
A bike path, with electric bikes available to rent, is planned to begin near our headquarters, cross through the city, span the new bridge, head north to FIS, and extend out to Highway 13, turning north toward the Wacipi Grounds, he added.
Wakeman said the tribe is working with the City of Flandreau to integrate the new bike path with one currently being planned by the city, county, tribe, and Flandreau Development Corporation.
The Crescent Street Bridge, located near one of the areas most popular fishing spots, spans the Big Sioux River between downtown Flandreau and the Flandreau Indian School. Condemned and closed for nearly a decade, the bridge was removed in September 2022.
The tribe continues to work as well with the City of Flandreau and a newly formed Dam Revitalization Committee to enhance the overall dam area and make it even more of a destination for locals and tourists.
So far, city staff have helped remove downed trees on the south side of the dam and completed some concrete work and riprap. Cleaning up the area is a priority for 2025 tree removal on the north side of the dam is set to begin soon.
Other priorities include adding more signage about the dams dangers and possibly building a galvanized stairway on the south side for safer fishing access.
Construction on the new bridge is estimated to begin in 2026, with completion expected by early 2027.
Nearly $3.5 million will be set aside for the recreational bike path, which will feature e-bike and scooter rentals, a trailhead near tribal headquarters, and charging stations.
Wakeman added that the newly secured funding will also allow FSST to partner with Native Sun Community Power Development to support green infrastructure investments across tribal lands, including roof retrofits, new solar capacity, building weatherization, and constructing resilience hubs to support tribal operations during emergencies.
Look for more details on the bridge replacement and new bike path, including the segment scheduled for the initial phase of construction in 2025, in an upcoming edition of the Moody County Enterprise.