SDDOT holds open house for Sioux Falls railroad crossing safety study

SDDOT holds open house for Sioux Falls railroad crossing safety study

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The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is currently analyzing 130 railroad crossings across the Sioux Falls Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) area to reduce traffic delays and prevent fatal accidents. As part of the Sioux Falls Railroad Corridor Analysis and Crossing Safety Study, the agency held a public open house on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at the Sioux Falls City Center to gather firsthand accounts of blocked intersections and “close calls” from local residents.

This isn’t just a map-and-metric exercise. Dakota News Now reported that the study’s scope extends beyond the city limits of Sioux Falls to include the communities of Crooks, Harrisburg, and Brandon, acknowledging that rail congestion is a regional economic drag rather than a localized nuisance.

The Friction Between Freight and Front Doors

Rail transportation is a cornerstone of South Dakota’s freight network, but the physical intersection of heavy rail and commuter traffic creates a persistent safety risk. According to official documentation from dot.sd.gov, the interaction between trains and vehicles frequently results in blocked intersections and crashes, some of which lead to serious injuries or death. The SDDOT is partnering with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Sioux Falls MPO, the South Eastern Council of Governments (SECOG), and railroad companies BNSF and Ellis & Eastern to identify which crossings are candidates for closure, consolidation, or safety upgrades.

Mark Gillespie, co-owner of Roots of Brazil, told Dakota News Now that his business struggled over the summer due to construction, but the constant flow of trains continues to hinder revenue. Gillespie estimated that revenue was down 50% to 55% compared to previous summers, noting that if a driver doesn’t choose their route carefully, they can easily get stuck behind a train in an already congested downtown area.

“We’ll gather that data, and then we’ll take that with what the public has provided us, and we’ll merge them together, and they’ll come up with a top list of crossings that’ll get targeted for some sort of improvement.” Steve Gramm

That perspective comes from Steve Gramm, SDDOT Planning Squad Leader, who explained that site inspections focus on visibility—specifically how far down the track a driver can see a train approaching—and the specific type of crossing hardware in place.

The Logistics of a Safer Corridor

The “So what?” of this study boils down to a triage list. The SDDOT cannot fix 130 crossings simultaneously, so they are using a combination of engineering data and public testimony to rank the most dangerous or disruptive points. One high-priority area mentioned is the crossing at Eighth Street and Weber Avenue downtown, where the intersection of commercial activity and rail traffic creates a frequent bottleneck.

The analysis will identify crossings that may be candidates for closure, consolidation, or other safety improvements to help improve safety, mobility, and traffic operations.

The study team is looking at several levers to pull:

  • Closure: Removing a crossing entirely to eliminate the risk of collision.
  • Consolidation: Moving multiple crossings into one managed point to streamline traffic.
  • Safety Improvements: Enhancing signage, lighting, or track visibility to prevent accidents.

How to Influence the Final Map

The open house on Oct. 28 served as the primary face-to-face venue for feedback, but the window for public influence remains open. The SDDOT is accepting written comments through Monday, Nov. 30, 2026. These comments are intended to fill the gaps that a standard site inspection might miss—such as the specific times of day when intersections are most frequently blocked or the exact spots where drivers feel most blind to oncoming trains.

For those who missed the meeting at 231 N. Dakota Ave., the agency has provided a dedicated study website for information and submissions. The final output of this collaboration between the state, federal government, and private rail companies will be a set of recommendations to improve mobility and traffic operations across the region.

The real test will be when the “top list” of targeted crossings is released. The community will then see if the data-driven priorities of the SDDOT align with the daily frustrations of the people stuck at the crossing gates.

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