Second Phase of Mount Rushmore Road Project Draws Low Bid

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The second phase of a project to reconstruct and beautify Mount Rushmore Road will cost much less than expected.

The Rapid City road is considered the gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. About 24,000 vehicles use the road each day.

The second of three phases of construction will cost $9.6 million, well below the state Transportation Department's estimate of $11.3 million.

That's in stark contrast to the first phase, which cost nearly $12 million and was about $3 million more than expected.

Aberdeen-based Reede Construction Inc. won the contract for the second phase. Work is to begin in May.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed