CUSTER, S.D. – Drivers in the Black Hills should prepare for traffic delays and temporary road closures next week as the South Dakota Department of Transportation conducts its biannual tunnel inspections.
The inspections will take place October 5th through October 7th on both Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway. On October 5th, Iron Mountain Road will be closed for most of the day while crews inspect the Doane Robinson, C.C. Gideon, and Scovel Johnson tunnels.
On October 6th, inspections move to Needles Highway. Motorists can expect minor delays at Hood Tunnel, while the sections containing Needles Eye Tunnel and Iron Creek Tunnel will be closed for most of the day.
The final inspection is scheduled for October 7th at the Miner’s Gateway Tunnel in Keystone. Traffic on Highway 16A will be detoured, but no significant delays are expected.
Transportation officials say October 8th has been reserved for any inspections delayed by weather or other circumstances.
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