AASHTO Journal - South Dakota Issues 17 Bridge Improvement Grants

The South Dakota Transportation Commission recently awarded some $16.6 million to 17 bridge projects via the state’s Bridge Improvement Grant or BIG program, which is overseen by the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

[Above photo by South Dakota DOT]

Each year, $7 million is dedicated annually from license plate fees and from non-commercial vehicle fees to the BIG program, South Dakota DOT noted, with the agency setting aside $8 million per year of state highway funds to make a total of $15 million available for bridge preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement projects statewide.

To be eligible for a BIG grant, the agency said, a county must impose a wheel tax as well as a County Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan to detail proposed county highway and bridge improvement projects within the county for the next five years.

This grant cycle, South Dakota DOT said the state’s transportation commission reallocated approximately $3.4 million from completed projects – awarding approximately $1.8 million in preliminary engineering grants last August; approximately $1.7 million in preservation grants; and some $14.9 million in replacement/rehabilitation grants for a total of $18.4 million worth of funding to complete the 2025 grant cycle.

“The South Dakota Transportation Commission [has] reinforced their commitment to improving the efficiency, safety, and access of the transportation system throughout our state,” said Joel Jundt, secretary of the South Dakota DOT, in a statement.

“The BIG program continues to be vital for the necessary preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement of local government structures,” he added. “[We] commend the transportation commission for their continued commitment to provide state funding for this critical local government program.”

To date, the South Dakota DOT said the BIG program has awarded $182 million in grants to local governments, including the allocations made this year. Local governments are required to pay a minimum of 20 percent matching funds and have a three-year window for spending a BIG program award.