Infrastructure in South Dakota

South Dakota Infrastructure Overview

While the nation’s infrastructure earned a C- in the 2021 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.

Key Facts about South Dakota's Infrastructure

aviation infrastructure

Aviation

5 major airports

bridge infrastructure

Bridges

5,821 bridges, 17% of which were structurally deficient in 2019

dam infrastructure

Dams

90 high hazard dams

water infrastructure

Drinking Water

$730 million total drinking water need over 20 years

energy infrastructure

Energy

162 outages between 2008 and 2017

hazardous waste infrastructure

Hazardous Waste

4 Superfund sites

inland waterways

Inland Waterways

80 miles of inland waterways

levees

Levees

177 miles of levees protect 27,900 residents.

public parks

Public Parks

$75,510,785 in deferred park maintenance

rail infrastructure

Rail

2,029 miles of rail across the state

road infrastructure

Roads

14% of roads are in poor condition. Each motorist pays $562 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair

school infrastructure

Schools

$125 million gap in estimated school capital expenditures.

solid waste infrastructure

Solid Waste

818,730 tons of municipal solid waste

stormwater infrastructure

Stormwater

$1.68 average monthly fee

transportation infrastructure

Transit

2.9 million passenger trips in 2018

wastewater infrastructure

Wastewater

$166 million in wastewater needs

Key Solutions

Our nation’s infrastructure problems are solvable if we have leadership and commit to making good ideas a reality. Raising the grades on our infrastructure will require that we seek and adopt a wide range of solutions.
Leadership & Action

Smart investment will only be possible with strong leadership, decisive action, and a clear vision for our nation’s infrastructure.

Investment

If the United States is serious about achieving an infrastructure system fit for the future some specific steps must be taken, beginning with increased, long-term, consistent investment.

Resilience

We must utilize new approaches, materials, and technologies to ensure our infrastructure can withstand or quickly recover from natural or man-made hazards.

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