Record State Highway Program Includes Sanborn Area Improvement

Woonsocket News
January 2, 1958

A 702.27 mile state highway construction program for the fiscal year 1958-59, costing an estimated $46,267,000 was announced today by Governor Joe Foss.

Money-wise, the one-year construct program is the largest in state history. Costs will be increased by 65 miles of new construction planned on the Interstate highway system, which is matched with 91.2 per cent federal funds.

In addition to construction, the new program calls for another 292.90 miles of surveys for future construction, making a total of 995.17 miles of construction and surveys. The period covered by the program is from July 1, 1958 through June 30, 1959.

The proposed program calls for new construction or surveys on state highways in 47 counties. Total costs include $36,937,000 in federal funds and $9,330,000 in state matching funds. Estimated cost of the new program exceeds estimates of the present 1957-58 program and the previous high, by $6,600,000.

A breakdown of the 1958-59 program shows plans for building 419.11 miles of bituminous surfacing of all types; 202.75 miles of grading and sub-base and 80.41 miles of concrete paving, of which 79.41 miles is four-lane paving.

"The past year has been the best for planning and construction of state highways in South Dakota history," Foss said. "The present 1957-58 construction program effective July 1 this year is 90 per cent under contract and we have six months in which to place the remaining 10 per cent of the program under contract. At no time has the Department of Highways been so far ahead on placing construction under contract. We fully expect that the new program will be under contract as quickly as the present program.

The governor said the State Highway Commission will let contracts on several projects on the new program after the first of the year, although federal matching funds will not be available on the new program until July 1, 1958.

"We are in tip-top shape on surveys and plans," Foss said. "We can place projects under construction as fast as funds are available. The people of South Dakota can be certain that every cent of state highway construction money will be under contract as fast as it comes in.

Foss said highway finances for the coming year presented a brighter picture than a year ago. He noted that a one-cent increase in gasoline taxes effective last July 1, plus an increase in motor vehicle registrations have helped the Department of Highways to meet federal matching funds and other obligations.

Counties in this area which new state highway construction is programmed for 1958-159 include: Beadle, 12.26 miles of grading, subbase and structures on US 281 from US 14 to the south county line; 20 miles authorized for survey on SD 37 from Huron to SD 34.

Buffalo, 10.95 miles of grading, subbase and three structures on SD 45 one mile south of the north county line to one mile south of Gann Valley; 2.89 miles of base course and bituminous surface on SD 47 from the south county line north; 7.5 bituminous seal on SD 47 from SD 34 south.

Davison, 10.46 miles of base course repair and bituminous surface on US 16 from Mt. Vernon to Mitchell; 3.55 miles of four-lane concrete paving and structures on SD 37 from one mile north of Lake Mitchell to First Street in Mitchell.

Miner, 11.01 miles of bituminous deal on US 81 from SD 34 to the south county line.