Locals brace for challenging summer

Construction season is officially here, and both Colman and Flandreau are seeing major projects get underway that will cause some travel headaches.
Most residents however, agree the long-term benefits will be worth the temporary inconvenience.
In Colman, crews have started work along Highway 34, widening the road and tackling long-overdue upgrades to aging water and sewer lines. The work is already creating delays at the traffic lights, with wait times stretching upwards of ten minutes during peak hours. Locals and daily commuters alike are being asked to pack a little extra patience.
Flandreau is also seeing progress on water and sewer line replacements throughout the southeast parts of town. Residents are bracing for a summer of detours, alley access, and backyards temporarily turning into construction zones or parking lots. Still, despite the disruptions, most neighbors say theyre more excited than frustrated. The infrastructure upgrades are seen as a much-needed investment in the communitys future.
One corner that will not be getting any curb, gutter, or culvert upgrades despite the roads being torn up around it, is the intersection along Crescent Street and Park Avenue where often, during periods of high rain and water, runoff pools in town and neighbors struggle with water in their yards and basements.
While neighbors voiced concerns during a recent question and answer opportunity, engineers stated that one or more areas alone the block will not see improvements until other decisions are made on the block, including what might go there in the future once the historic grain elevator is torn down.
Well continue to keep you posted on progress and any changes to traffic flow as work continues in both communities over the coming weeks.