Celebrating the I-29 Interchange in Brookings

Ribbon cutting for the new 20^th Street South Interchange off I-29 scheduled for August 23 at 10:00 a.m.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Aug. 10, 2023 – To celebrate the opening of the new 20^th Street South Interchange off I-29, the Brookings Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a special ribbon cutting ceremony on August 23 at 10:00 a.m. for the public. The ceremony will take place at the southeast corner of the I-29 and 20^th Street South intersection.

“This project is the result of years of planning with the intent to drive the development of the city of Brookings,” said Tim Reed, CEO of the Brooking Economic Development Corporation. “We’re thrilled for this new interchange to be open and help with the accessibility and growth of our community with our eyes firmly set on its positive future.”

Keynote speaker at the ribbon cutting is U.S. Senator John Thune as his support for this project was crucial in securing the federal funding to make it happen. Other confirmed attendees that will be showing their support for this project include U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, District 8 Representative John Mills, District 7 Senator Tim Reed, Brookings Mayor Ope Niemeyer, Secretary of Transportation Joel Jundt, as well as multiple transportation commissioners and other city representatives.

“As Brookings and its neighboring communities continue to grow, this new interchange will greatly reduce traffic congestion, increase capacity, and improve safety,” said Thune. “I applaud the work of the various organizations and city and state officials who made this important project possible.”

The entire project began with interchange justification reports as early as September 2020 with environmental assessments in October of 2020. Site preparation began in the winter of 2022 and continued with various tasks straight through to the completion of the project in late July 2023.

The new interchange provides another connection point between the residential areas and the large employment centers on opposite sides of I-29 as well as providing access to the southern side of the city of Brookings as it continues to grow in that direction.

Project partners include the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, South Dakota Department of Transportation, City of Brookings, Brookings County, Brookings Economic Development Corporation, First Bank & Trust, Vision Brookings, East Brookings Business & Industry Association, HDR Engineering and Banner Associates, Inc., along with countless other groups and individuals.

Attendees to the event should enter from the south on 34^th Avenue and follow the signs to park for the event.  Additional information is available on the Brookings Chamber website (or by clicking here).