south dakota infrastructure

South Dakota Report

South Dakota's vast landscape means that roads and bridges connecting remote communities are pivotal.

South Dakota Infrastructure Overview

While the nation’s infrastructure earned a C in the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card, South Dakota faces infrastructure challenges of its own. For example, driving on roads in need of repair in South Dakota costs each driver $562 per year, and 17% of bridges are rated structurally deficient. Drinking water needs in South Dakota are an estimated $730 million. 90 dams are considered to be high-hazard potential. The state’s schools have an estimated capital expenditure gap of $125 million. This deteriorating infrastructure impedes South Dakota’s ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. Success in a 21st-century economy requires serious, sustained leadership on infrastructure investment at all levels of government. Delaying these investments only escalates the cost and risks of an aging infrastructure system, an option that the country, South Dakota, and families can no longer afford.

Close-up of a water droplet splash creating a crown ripple in turquoise-lit water.

$1.1 billion is needed to maintain and improve South Dakota's drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years.

State Fact Sheet

Download Fact Sheet
Blue line drawing of a suspension bridge with two towers and hanging cables, shown in a simple icon style.

5,883

Bridges

Stylized blue bridge with a deer leaping over it (silhouette).

16%

of Bridges are Deficient

Blue abstract icon of a lighthouse with stylized waves on both sides.

89

High Hazard Dams

Blue drinking glass icon filled with liquid up to about two-thirds full

$6.4B

in Drinking Water Needs

Blue icon of a factory beside stylized water waves, representing industry near water.

118 Miles

of Levees
Protecting 41,900 people

Blue film strip icon representing a video or movie.

13%

of Roads in poor or fair condition

Bright blue square swatch on a white background

$ 199.95

Motorist pays annually
due to insufficient infrastructure

Blue bus icon representing transportation

2.2M

Passenger Trips on Public Transit

Blue toilet icon

$6.8B

Wastewater needs

Blue cloud with rain drops icon indicating rain weather

$22.8B

Total storm damage
(1980-2024)

United States Capitol with the dome, stairs, and waving American flag under a dramatic sunset sky.

IIJA Grants

$0B

IIJA Funding Announced

0

Number of IIJA Projects

Lewis & Clark Rural Water System: This $152 million award accelerated construction by a decade, enabling over 300 miles of pipeline to deliver reliable clean water from the Missouri River to more than 350,000 people in rural Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota who previously lacked access.

Sisseton Milbank Railroad Modernization Project: This $24.7 million award will replace 37 miles of track and rehabilitate a bridge on the Sisseton Milbank Railroad, improving safety by reducing derailment risk, increasing track speed, and enabling more efficient grain transportation and truck unloading operations.

Improving Mobility, Safety and Access to the Pine Ridge Reservation: This $16.7 million award will reconstruct 8.7 miles of South Dakota Highway 73 and add lighting along SD 248 in Kadoka, improving roadway safety with expanded shoulders, rumble strips, curve corrections, culverts, and lighting, while enhancing mobility and connectivity for the Pine Ridge Reservation.

White line drawing of a public building with a dome on a blue circular background.

Connect with Your Legislators

Let everyone know how important it is that we continue to invest in the future of America’s infrastructure.

Take Action Today
Sign Up for Email Updates

Sign Up For Email Updates

Select your home state, and we'll let you know about upcoming legislation.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Are you a current ASCE member?*
By clicking here, you are agreeing to receive our quarterly newsletter.*

Back