Construction is underway on the City of Wessington Springs' water main replacement project, and city officials are asking residents to be patient, follow posted detours and avoid entering active construction zones as crews work to upgrade aging infrastructure.
Mayor Ryan Knipfer said residents should avoid areas where work is taking place and refrain from moving or driving around road closure signs, even if doing so may seem more convenient.
'We know the construction is inconvenient, but these closures are in place for a reason,' the mayor said. 'Please allow extra time to reach your destination, take the long way around when necessary and avoid construction areas whenever possible.'
The project, being completed by Hulstein Construction, involves removing aging cast iron water mains and replacing them with new PVC water lines throughout approximately 8.5 blocks of the city. Work also includes street removal and reconstruction as part of broader infrastructure improvements connected to Wessington Springs' Mid-Dakota Rural Water project.
According to the contractor, the work is expected to be completed in approximately six weeks.
Jerauld County Sheriff Jason Weber echoed the city's request for cooperation and reminded residents that road closure signs are not optional.
'The signs are there for the safety of the workers and the safety of residents,' Weber said. 'Violations do exist for disregarding road closure signs. This is a growing pain that will benefit us all in the end.'
City officials emphasized that construction zones can change rapidly and may contain open trenches, heavy equipment and other hazards not visible from a distance. Entering closed areas or moving barricades places both workers and the public at risk.
Officials are asking residents to continue respecting all posted closures and detours as work progresses over the coming weeks.
The water main replacement project began earlier this month. Once complete, the improvements will replace aging infrastructure with modern water lines designed to provide reliable service for years to come.
