Sioux Falls MPO gathers ideas for future 2050 transportation plan

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - On Thursday night, the Sioux Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization gave residents the chance to give their input on the area's long-range transportation plan.

The year 2050 is a long way away, but Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties are two of the fastest-growing counties in the country, making the next steps in transportation planning even more critical.

"Making sure that we're planning for that future growth within the Sioux Falls MPO area and the surrounding communities is pivotal. We don't want to be caught off guard with anything," said SECOG planner and MPO coordinator Sean Hegyi.

What's now being called their "Go Sioux Falls 2050′′ plan will directly impact residents in Sioux Falls, Tea, Harrisburg, Hartford, Brandon, Crooks, and other portions of Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties.

Collaboration is key.

"Transportation, unlike most things, it's interconnected. It's the veins of this area, so we want to make sure that if we're building bike paths, if we're building roads, if we're looking at growth and corridors that we're all planning together and working together because any changes could impact everybody that's involved," Heygi explained.

Future trends and scenarios are evolving, which is why every five years they update the plan with input from residents. Those who use every type of travel will have their voices heard.

"The best resource that we as engineers and planners have are the people that drive the street. Is there a better way to get across town? Is there a better way to get around town? The ideas come with just somebody drawing a line on a map and that basically then goes into a study. Projects just don't appear overnight," said Sioux Falls engineering project manager Shannon Ausen.

Current areas they're keeping their eyes on are Lincoln County Highway 106 and the Rice Street and Holly Boulevard corridor , which have ongoing studies.

They also have been following and working on the 10th and 11th Street viaducts and part of South Dakota Highway 11.

Future growth will continue to shape what the priorities for the Sioux Falls metro area will be and improvements going forward have the Sioux Falls MPO excited.

"It's really a safety benefit, so it is very rewarding to see that our designs are coming to fruition and being used by all modes of traffic," Ausen said.

After gathering ideas and refining needs this upcoming spring, they will come up with a funding plan and finalize the revisions next September.

If you missed the open house, you can still bring comments, concerns and ideas to the project website .