STURGIS, S.D. — The Meade County Commission has set a load limit and decreased speed limit on New Underwood Road in hopes of increasing safety on the road.
Last week, the commission lowered the speed limit on the road from 50 to 45 miles per hour, from the intersection of Elk Creek Road to the Pennington County line. Commissioners say that is the worst part of the road.
They also reduced load limits on all county roads, to seven tons an axle, with an 80,000-pound gross vehicle weight. Local truckers who need to haul heavier loads have an opportunity to obtain a permit.
Meade County Highway Superintendent Troy Eastman said lately his crews are out there daily, using gravel to fill in holes in order to make it as safe as possible.
He says the road gets used frequently by out of state and in state truckers, because it’s the only connector to I-90 from U.S. Highway 34.
Commissioners continue to make a plea to the state to make New Underwood Road a state highway due to its heavy use. They are seeking federal funding to help with reconstructing the road.
The commission has scheduled a discussion on whether or not to use $1 million dollars in the budget for temporary road fixes on New Underwood Road May 13th.
