On Monday, March 18, 2024, bridge work is scheduled to begin on Interstate 29 at exit 18 near Elk Point. The project includes approach pavement repair, bridge deck replacement, bridge deck chip seal, and berm protection at the structures located on I-29 at exit 18 and the Interstate railroad bridges located just north of exit 18. Lane closures, with temporary speed limit reductions, will be used to move traffic through the work zones. Motorists can expect delays during these times.

The Jefferson City Council received a letter from the Southeastern Council of Governments (SECOG) about a grant opportunity. The council discussed the grant and their monetary commitment at their meeting March 4.

The Union County Highway Department put out the annual bids for different construction materials which were approved at the Union County Board of County Commission meeting March 5. The bids were awarded to: • Chip and Seal from The Road Guy was awarded at $5,960 per mile.

The Elk Point City Council convened on March 4 to discuss the future of the city’s lagoon. A preliminary study from Bolton & Menk was reviewed. “Option A” was determined to be the most cost effective option. City Administrator Derek Tuttle and Public Works Director Trevor Job explained this is the project the city is being forced to do by the state. The city originally was going to redo the lagoons, but the cost was too high. Option A is to purchase more aerators to help fix the issue with the lagoons.

The Elk Point-Jefferson School District has spent the last few years looking at and contemplating the needs of the growing school district, including various updates to the facilities. In 2022, the school district attempted a bond issue for these improvements, but the bond failed to pass a vote of the people. This sent the district back to the drawing board.

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The Union County Board of County Commissioners met on Feb. 20 to conduct county business.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $42,956,000 from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for South Dakota drinking water and clean water infrastructure upgrades.

The South Dakota Transportation Commission awarded 24 preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement Bridge Improvement Grants (BIG) totaling approximately $20 million at the recent commission meeting held in Pierre. The goal of the grant process is to enhance the overall condition of critical assets that South Dakotans are dependent upon each and every day. These struc- tures provide the link that drives the interconnectedness of the state’s overall transportation system, while enhancing statewide economic development overall.

The City of Elk Point had four seats up for election on their city council. However, no election will have to be held come April as only one petition was returned for each seat.