During this week’s commission meeting, the City of Pierre took steps to fund its approximately $5-million portion of the Euclid Avenue project. The South Dakota Dept. of Transportation (SDDOT) is rebuilding Euclid Ave. between Sioux Ave. and 8th St.; the city is completing underground utility work in conjunction with the state project.
“The entire state highway will be opened up for the rebuild,” said City Engineer Nick Waters. “That makes it an opportune time to replace the 50 to 100-year-old infrastructure located in the highway.”
Waters added that it’s important to note this water main is an essential piece of the infrastructure serving the entire community of Pierre.
To fund the replacement of more than 8,000 feet of water main and associated infrastructure, the city previously secured a loan from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (SDDANR). Conditions of that loan, as required by the state, include a surcharge of $4.50 per month, per customer. At the Jan. 14 meeting, the city commission took first reading to place that surcharge in ordinance.
The surcharge would become effective July 1 and would automatically sunset upon satisfaction of the loan. The ordinance change will be back in front of the commission for consideration and final action at the Jan. 21 meeting.
The state construction project and associated city utility work are scheduled to start this coming spring.