The process continues for a revamping of a major thoroughfare in Sioux Falls.  More public input will be accepted and a rendering presentation will be a part of a public information meeting and open house for the 26th Street Corridor Study.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the remaining options for improvements along 26th Street between Cliff Avenue and Cleveland Avenue, including improvement options to the 26th Street (Exit 5) Interchange along I-229. Area residents, business owners, and daily commuters are encouraged to attend and participate in the study.

The Burlington Northern Railroad tracks that run along the west side of Southeastern Avenue are also part of the equation.  Shannon Ausen of the Engineering Department of the City of Sioux Falls says the potential layout that is most conducive to better traffic flow is an overpass over the tracks.  When traffic flow peaks and you add a train, traffic is extremely bottlenecked.

“The (train’s) impact during heavy traffic is quite severe.  Drivers appreciate that we’re trying to separate those vehicles from the trains and provide a safer crossing.”

Ausen says the option of lowering the grade of the tracks would involve more than just the tracks at the Southeastern crossing.

“You basically have to go back miles in each direction because the elevation restrictions on the tracks is so stringent.”

Once you consider all the other crossings that would also need adjustments for elevation, the costs would necessarily increase.

Wednesday’s event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a brief presentation at John Harris Elementary School on East 49th Street.

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