Roads, trails and transportation input wanted

The City of Hill City is working on a master transportation plan and public input is needed.

At a June 19 meeting at the Hill City Center  Steve Gramm from the SDDOT and intern Cole Hansen outlined the study, process and timeline.

Hansen collected inventory that created  the maps shared with the public at the meeting.

The plan covers inventory, prioritized plans to transportation systems, draft ordinances, cost estimates and possible  funding sources.

Since city officials identified a possible extrajurisdictional area the study looked at Hill City limits plus  a one  mile radius.

Hansen collected data on roads, transit, sidewalks and trails.

Hansen said the  transportation inventory is “on the better side of things,” but noted a few lapses in sidewalk connections like on Quinn Drive.

Curbs and gutters overall good and were a  “well maintained network  that has better connectivity than your sidewalks.”

Hill City controls about  60% of their roads, a figure “on the low side” of cities who don’t have control over larger portions of their roads.

Hansen didn’t notice many issues with signage. The “worst thing” he saw were handicapped signs downtown missing blue markings.

Crash location and severity data from 2018-2023 reported an above average for damage thresholds.

Areas of concern were Poplar and Main and In front of Dollar General

There has been only one pedestrian  related  crash, which he called a “miracle” especially  with the Michelson trail crossing. 

In general Hill City “far exceeds” the number of crashes on average, with 129 total over a five year span.

There are three times as many animal accidents as other areas.

Guardrails are a major concern as well. 

Hill City has a lot of guardrail that is  old and  “not used for what it was designed for.”

Hansen said it is “In need of replacement.”

Residents, city officials and  business owners present shared their concerns to Gramm and Hansen.

Jessica Jacobs asked when guardrails are warranted with Gramm explaining  that typically crash history or elevation changes  justify the need.” You're protecting something” says Gramm.

Gramm said age was  a concern for the current guardrail situation saying  “it’s more if a safety hazard the way it's installed now.”

Hansen said there is a portion that is from the 1950s or 1960s.

Jacobs also said Old Hill City Road can be really difficult and  sometimes a little “hairy”.

She suggested  the speed limit near Dollar General is too high.

She also recommended instead of signed crosswalks that the State  do lighted ones.

It’s “remarkable” how people  won’t slow down, she said. Others agreed that crosswalks near Krulls and for the Michelson trail be lighted. Bill Miner spoke to the town’s deputy  who stopped four vehicles for failure to yield in the crosswalk recently “He was concentrating on it because it’s such a problem,” Miner said.

Jacobs was also concerned about parking on  the bypass.

“I’m afraid somebody’s gonna die because people were parked in the yellow. That’s dangerous.”

Other concerns included not being able to see through the school fence, adding a turn lane by Mitchell lake, how and when to do maintenance on sidewalks, and enhanced signage for the ambulance and fire department areas. “Traffic on the highway will not stop for them,” said Miner.

“We should have an enhanced warning for drivers because  lots of times  both units are responding.”

Gramm suggested Hill City be guinea pigs for a hawk system. “No one’s been daring enough in South Dakota to try one.”

The master plan requires public input. 

“You guys live here, we don’t,” said Hansen. 

The timeline for the plan is quick with the next public meeting taking place July 25 at 5:30 at the Hill City Center. The pan will wrap up in August.

“The more we find out, the more we can address things  in the plan” said Gramm who encourages people to tell friends and give feedback.

More information can be found on the Hill City website at www.hillcitysd.com/city-government/hill-city-transportation-master-plan/