Crescent Street Bridge rebuild on hold

The long-anticipated rebuild of the historic downtown bridge over the Big Sioux River is now on hold, just months before work was set to begin.
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe had announced last year it had secured federal funding to construct a new bridge where the old Crescent Street Bridge once stoodconnecting downtown Flandreau with the north side of the river and the Flandreau Indian School.
The funds were awarded through the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Community Change Grants program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at supporting local environmental and climate-related infrastructure projects.
But just this past week, the Tribe learned that the Trump administration is moving to cancel more than $20 million in grants nationwide, citing concerns over potential misuse of funds and a lack of proper oversight.
Preliminary plans for the new Crescent Street Bridge included a fishing area along the west side, a two-lane roadway, 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 closely with the City of Flandreau to integrate the new path with a trail system currently being planned in coordination with the city, Moody County, the Tribe, and the Flandreau Development Corporation.
The former Crescent Street Bridge had been condemned and closed for nearly a decade before being removed in September 2022.
In a recent court ruling, a federal judge pushed back on the EPAs efforts to freeze nearly $20 billion in already-awarded climate grants, stating the agency has yet to show evidence of any wrongdoing by the recipients. While the court has ordered that the funds be released, access remains limited for now.
Well continue to follow the story and bring updates on the future of the bridge project, along with other improvements planned for the area surrounding the old mill dam, as more details become available.