Early Completion of 69th and Cliff Project Earns Big Bonus

To say it’s just 69th Street and Cliff Avenue is to sell this project short. Nonetheless that major junction is fully open to traffic.

New concrete is down from 61st Street to about 600 feet south of 69th Street where driveways serve the Avera Medical Group and University of Sioux Falls properties in that area. Plus 69th and Cliff itself is fully open to traffic.

It was supposed to be done by late August, but City officials are pleased with the early completion. As a result the contractor D & G Concrete Construction Inc., of Sioux Falls, has earned an incentive payment of $200,000 for the early completion of phase one of this construction project.

A big sigh of relief is in order for staff, students and parents of Sioux Falls Christian School which is east of Cliff Avenue on 69th Street. The project began in the early spring before the Class of 2015 received their diplomas. With opening day for SFC set for August 19, traffic will be unhindered to start the fall session.

Multiple contributing factors led to the early completion. An excellent contracting team, favorable weather, cooperative adjacent landowners, and financial incentives offered by the City to the contractor played a part in the brisk pace for phase one of the project.

In a press release Chad Huwe, City Engineer explains, “Both the City and the contractor wanted to expedite this project due to its daily impact to traffic. Financial incentives are one tool that the City uses to encourage timely completion of high-impact projects.”

Phase two of the project will continue south along Cliff Avenue to 85th Street. This segment of Cliff Avenue will remain closed until final project completion. An additional incentive payment for early completion of phase two prior to the November 6, 2015, overall project completion date is possible.