Reason for Study:
Welcome to the Brookings County Master Transportation Plan web site! Brookings County, along with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), is sponsoring the development of this planning study. The study will examine current transportation issues and needs facing Brookings County and decide how best to address them. All transportation modes will be studied, including roadways, transit, railroads and freight, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities. When completed, the study will outline recommended improvements and provide a plan for implementing them. The goal is to create a livable community that will enhance the economic and social well-being of all Brookings County residents and travelers.
About the Study
The study will consist of three main phases to be completed over a 10-month period:
- The first phase will inventory and analyze existing and future conditions and identify the problems and needs.
- The second phase will develop strategies, alternatives and potential solutions that address the problems and fulfill the needs. Because of limited budgets for transportation infrastructure maintenance and construction, costs will be considered when developing alternatives.
- The third and final phase will select alternatives for further study and prioritize them based on planned investments for Brookings County
Study Area
The study area includes the incorporated and unincorporated cities and townships of Brookings County, with the exception of the City of Brookings. The City of Brookings recently completed a Master Transportation Plan in 2011, the recommendations of which will be coordinated in the Brookings County Master Transportation Plan as appropriate.
Public Involvement
An important component of this master transportation planning study is your input. We want to know about your travel patterns, your destinations and the challenges you face getting there. As the study progresses, we will need your input on the potential alternatives we develop for improving our area’s transportation network.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has a long history of public involvement in the development of transportation plans and projects. The 2005 passage of the Safe, Accountable, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires a public involvement process. In accordance with the Department's public involvement plan document, the Brookings County Master Transportation Plan Study strives to keep the public involved with the study as much as possible.
Public Meetings
Public meetings for the study will occasionally be scheduled to collect public input, provide information and answer questions. Because of the geographic size of Brookings County and the differing needs in various parts of the county, public meetings will be held in Elkton, Volga, and White.
Public Meeting #1 - January 15, 2013 (Elkton), January 16, 2013 (Volga), and January 17, 2014 (White)
Stakeholder Group Meetings
Municipalities and certain business types often have aspects that can have unique impacts to a county’s transportation system that can be more thoroughly discussed outside of the public meeting format. As such, stakeholder groups consisting of representatives from the municipalities, large employers, and active trade and transportation oriented organizations within Brookings County will be invited to a set of stakeholder meetings that will be held throughout the study period.
Technical Memorandums
Background Documents
The SDDOT has retained Howard R. Green, Inc. (HR Green) to perform the study. For more information or comments please contact Ross Harris of HR Green by email at rharris@hrgreen.com with the words “Brookings County Comment†in the Subject line or by phone at (515) 657-5263. The SDDOT project manager is Steve Gramm, who can be reached by email at steve.gramm@state.sd.us or by phone at (605) 773-6641.