Construction work returns to area
By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
If the barriers, orange cones and road closures popping up in nearly every direction haven’t tipped you off yet, consider this your formal notice: construction season is back in full swing. After a relatively mild winter, work is resuming on area roadways across the region, as well as in both Flandreau and Colman, as major infrastructure projects that kicked off in 2025 continue.
Both communities are replacing aging water and sanitary systems, work that brings full street reconstruction, curb and gutter upgrades, and targeted sidewalk and driveway improvements. The inconvenience isn’t lost on officials — but they stress it’s temporary, and the payoff will be long-term.
At a recent meeting with residents in Flandreau, city officials and engineers acknowledged both the progress ahead and the disruptions that will come with it.
“This is the reality of a project of this size,” said Shane Waterman of IMEG Engineering, noting that there will be times when residents may temporarily lose access to their driveways — or even need to park up to a block away.
“It doesn’t mean they’ll be without access for weeks on end … but there will be times when you simply can’t get into your driveway.”
Mayor Dan Sutton, at the most recent City Council meeting, asked for patience as crews from H&W Contracting return to active work zones.
To help ease concerns and keep communication open, the city of Flandreau is resuming bi-weekly public meetings in City Council Chambers. The sessions are designed to give residents a chance to hear updates, ask questions, and plan around construction timelines — something community partners like the Our Saviors Lutheran church say is critical, especially with events like Vacation Bible School scheduled June 15–19.
Crews are targeting mid-May for the first round of asphalt paving. If timelines hold, roughly 10 blocks — about half the project — could be paved by that point, with full completion expected by October 31.
The City of Colman will be having a couple of informational meetings before the project starts this spring according to City Finance Officer Maria Groos.
She stated the project will impact two access points in Southern Heights and updates will be shared with residents as they occur.
Until then, dust, detours and delays will remain part of daily life. Waterman said dry conditions have helped crews move quickly, it’s now the wind creating challenges, particularly with dust kicking up.
Crews may work with the city on some dust control measures if and where they make sense but otherwise, all parties involved are asking for continued patience as the work moves forward.
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