KOTA Territory NewsLandowners concerned over proposed road extension

Landowners concerned over proposed road extension

The process of extending 131st Street in Sturgis has drawn much concern and debate from taxpayers in Meade County.

The county wants to extend 131st street to connect Interstate 90 north to Highway 34.  A number of landowners opposed the project, saying the county must address other issues before beginning a new project.

"How are we going to catch up?  When we saddle the taxpayers with another one, which is benefited only by, for the benefit really, the ones who are pushing it are the people that run entertainment centers our on 34," said landowner Marv Kammerer.

Business owners along Highway 34 said a newly constructed road is crucial to everybody and would help ease congestion during the rally.

"It's a big part of the reason why the rally has been shrinking, why the tourism industry here is faded, it's just people don't want to travel hundreds, or even thousands of miles to get here and be stuck in a traffic jam," said Buffalo Chip owner Rod Woodruff. 

County Commissioner Alan Aker said studies have shown 131st is a highly traveled road, and their next step is to negotiate for the right of way to extend the road.