Weeklong repairs and a new fire station driveway reshape traffic near Sycamore and 10th Avenue
The City of Sioux Falls is scheduling multiple road work projects that will change traffic patterns beginning Monday, July 13. The closures and lane shifts affect major local routes and residential access, and officials say the work timeline depends on weather.
Key changes include lane reductions on both South and North Sycamore avenues and a short-term closure on South 10th Avenue. The work ranges from driveway construction for a new fire station to watermain and concrete repairs. Pedestrian access will be maintained in the primary work zone.
- South Sycamore Avenue — Outside southbound lane closed from Fanelle Avenue to 10th Street / Arrowhead Parkway while crews build the driveway for Fire Station #2. Traffic will be shifted so two southbound lanes remain open using the center turn lane; work is expected to finish in late August, weather permitting.
- North Sycamore Avenue — Inside northbound and southbound lanes plus the center turn lane closed at Sixth Street for watermain and concrete repairs. Southbound left turns from Sycamore onto Sixth Street will be prohibited. The repairs are expected to take about two weeks, weather permitting.
- South 10th Avenue — Closed at the north side of 17th Street so crews can install a valley gutter across the street. Motorists are advised to use East 16th Street for neighborhood access; this work is anticipated to be completed in roughly one week, weather permitting.
"Drivers are urged to use caution and reduce speeds while traveling near the construction area and may want to consider alternate routes."
Those instructions come from the City’s advisory and underscore two recurring themes for summer construction in Sioux Falls: projects are compressed into short windows to limit disruption, and timelines can slip when rain arrives. The South Sycamore work is tied to a significant capital project — a driveway entrance for the new Fire Station #2 — which means the closure there will stretch longer than the other repairs.
For commuters who use Sycamore as a north-south artery through the city, the lane shifts and turn restrictions could add delay during peak travel times. Residents in the 10th Avenue and 17th Street area should plan alternate access while the valley gutter is installed. Pedestrians should watch for temporary walkways and signage through the South Sycamore work zone.
| Location | Work | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Sycamore Ave (Fanelle to 10th/Arrowhead) | Driveway for Fire Station #2; outside SB lane closed | Through late August (weather permitting) |
| North Sycamore Ave at 6th St | Watermain and concrete repairs; inside lanes closed; no SB left turns to 6th | About two weeks (weather permitting) |
| South 10th Ave north side of 17th St | Valley gutter installation; street closed | About one week (weather permitting) |
City officials repeatedly advise motorists to slow down in work zones, obey signage and consider alternate routes. Emergency vehicles and transit operations typically adapt to these short-term patterns, but drivers should expect delays and plan accordingly.
With several projects scheduled to begin the week of July 13, local drivers may want to adjust commute routes or leave a few minutes earlier over the next several days to avoid the most congested windows.
