Highway 34 reopens after long summer of detours

Driving through Colman along Highway 34, you can almost feel the relief and excitement as both the community and commuters prepare for a faster, easier route to reopen.
Construction began earlier this spring on the short but busy stretch of highway running through town. Motorists were warned to expect delays, but few anticipated just how long theyd wait with some vehicles backed up for 20 minutes or more as traffic was funneled into a single open lane. The detours had many locals finding alternate routes and businesses along the highway eager for whatever traffic they could get.
While a few loose ends remain, Pat McKnight with Hulstein Excavating Inc., the projects general contractor, told the Moody County Enterprise that nearly all work will be complete and the road fully reopened by October 31.
Sidewalks and some of the tie-ins from the highway into town might not be entirely finished, McKnight added, but overall, the project should be wrapped up within the next two weeks.
The $10.3 million reconstruction included removing and replacing concrete surfacing, widening to a three-lane roadway to help reduce rear-end crashes, and installing new lighting, curbs, gutters, storm sewers, and sidewalks.
Other local infrastructure improvements continue as the city works to replace aging water and sewer lines and prepare for growth in what has long been a quiet, rural community.
Infrastructure updates in Flandreau have also made for a long summer of detours for local residents. What affected neighborhoods can expect as seasonal work wraps up in next weeks edition.