RAPID CITY, SD – The South Dakota Department of Transporation is undergoing a study to see if traffice at Exit 63 in Box Elder, SD is expected to increase with the arrival of the B21 at Ellsworth and how reconstruction of the interchange would look like.
In the study, SDDOT found an increase of people coming to Box Elder and overflowing to Rapid City that would in turn increase traffic in the area.
At present, the exit is a nontraditional interchange, meaning there are no on and off-ramps on the east side.
Based on the study, the Department of Transportation will develop six lanes on the interstate from Exit 63 back to exit 61, and as they expect traffic to increase, they will continue the six lanes through Rapid City.
Accoring to Mike Carlson, Rapid City area engineer for the SD DOT, the agency expects to see a lot more construction to accommodate a growing population and increasing traffic.
He says the plans for the interchange construction are underway, with on-the-ground work expected to start by 2025.
