The United States Department of Transportation awarded the city of Brookings more than $18.7 million in a transportation infrastructure grant.
The grant is a portion of the $900 million investment from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program.
“The Administration is targeting BUILD Transportation grants to repair, rebuild and revitalize significant infrastructure projects across the county,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.
The funding was awarded to 55 projects in 35 states, with Brookings as the only one selected in South Dakota.
City officials plan for the grant money to go towards building an interchange over Interstate 29 and 20th Street South.
Brookings mayor Keith Corbett said there was overwhelming support for the project.
“The community support has been fantastic on this and that was where it came from…because there’s 9,000 people that come into Brookings to work here every day,” he said. “And that’s what so crucial is that they have a way into Brookings without having to go up to further congestion of Sixth Street and 22nd Avenue.”
Total costs for the project are at an estimated $23,347,037.
Corbett said the city will provide $2 million and Brookings County will give $1 million. Private donors are funding the remaining cost.
Designs are in the planning process with construction beginning in 2022. The interchange is expected to open in early 2023.
