PIERRE, (KCCR) — Depending on the weather, traffic is expected to shift to a head-to-head configuration over the John Waldron Memorial Bridge Wednesday. The South Dakota Department of Transportation is shifting all traffic over the bridge to the eastbound lanes so that construction can be finished on the new Waldron Bridge crossing the Missouri River. Similar to the 2023 construction season, the traffic shift will go from the U-S Highway 14/83 intersection with Yellowstone Street in Fort Pierre to James Street in Pierre. At the same time, a 10-foot width restriction will resume over the current Waldron Bridge. Vehicles wider than 10-feet will need to use a detour over the Oahe Dam to get from one side of the river to the other. Island Drive will become a right in, right out only access with all left turns prohibited at Island Drive. Motorists should be alert while entering the work zone and should expect minor delays, with equipment and workers near lanes of traffic. The two-way traffic configuration is expected to be in place through the 2024 construction season.
