FHWA Admin visit I-90/Cliff in Sioux Falls

[M86]

This is a bit old, but I stumbled upon it again.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pressroom/fhwa1338.cfm

I'm from Sioux Falls (love the city, hope to move back someday), and I welcome the new SPUI at I-90/Cliff Avenue, but why was the FHWA Administrator (Victor Mendez) there?  I consider myself a Liberal Dem, but jeez, what a waste of $$$.

There are currently 4 SPUIs in Sioux Falls (three on I-29 and one on I-229).  The one being constructed at Cliff & I-90 isn't anything special.

Any thoughts?

[Scott5114]

I think Mendez shows up at the dedication of every major highway project. He spoke at the I-40 realignment in Oklahoma City.

[M86]

I think Mendez shows up at the dedication of every major highway project. He spoke at the I-40 realignment in Oklahoma City.

I can see him showing up for the I-40 project in OKC... but I-90/Cliff in Sioux Falls?  Seems silly to me... He didn't show up when I-29 was reconstructed through Sioux Falls from 2 lanes in each direction to 3 lanes with auxiliary lanes, and new interchanges at Benson Road and Madison Street, and a SPUI at 12th Street.

I probably should be grateful that he's giving a crap about the smaller states.  Represent!

[froggie]

Wow...South Dakota has a 6-lane road now...?!

[agentsteel53]

Wow...South Dakota has a 6-lane road now...?!

of course.  they're not North Dakota.

[The High Plains Traveler]

South Dakota does love those SPUIs. There are at least 4 that I know of at Rapid City.

[M86]

Wow...South Dakota has a 6-lane road now...?!

Actually, if you include the auxiliary lane on I-29, it's eight lanes.  Big city livin'.

I don't live there anymore, but damn, do I miss their planning for the future growth.

[froggie]

of course.  they're not North Dakota.

Believe it or not, North Dakota's may predate South Dakota's.  Fargo area has had a 6-lane I-94 for at least 15 years, and a 6-lane I-29 for over 10.

[M86]

of course.  they're not North Dakota.

Believe it or not, North Dakota's may predate South Dakota's.  Fargo area has had a 6-lane I-94 for at least 15 years, and a 6-lane I-29 for over 10.

Ummmm, I believe you might be wrong.  There is no way Fargo has had 6 lanes since 1998... and the 6 lane on I-29 was within the last 10 years.  I-94 in Moorhead has a new interchange at 34th Street S... And I believe they closed off the interchange at Main Avenue/I-94 Business Loop.  The current Google Street View (Satellite imagery) :  http://goo.gl/maps/PlWIL

Fargo does have the nice flyover from I-29 SB to I-94 EB.

[froggie]

M86:  I-94 between I-29 and US 75 has been 6 lanes since at least 1999.  I was first on it then and also have a couple scanned photos floating around.  MnDOT's project logs for the river bridge suggest it might have been before that.  6 lanes on I-29 (including the flyover you mentioned) was in place no later than summer of 2005, but I'm pretty sure I remember part of the 6-laning north of I-94 existing before then.

[M86]

M86:  I-94 between I-29 and US 75 has been 6 lanes since at least 1999.  I was first on it then and also have a couple scanned photos floating around.  MnDOT's project logs for the river bridge suggest it might have been before that.  6 lanes on I-29 (including the flyover you mentioned) was in place no later than summer of 2005, but I'm pretty sure I remember part of the 6-laning north of I-94 existing before then.

Froggie, I was mistaken.  Thank you for the info.