Now Find Local and State Road Conditions on Updated 511 

Good news for travelers in South Dakota! Innovations to the SD511 system that already provides real-time travel information, including road conditions, closures, construction, incidents, weather forecasts, and roadway camera images just got better. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is partnering with counties and tribes to allow them to directly update road conditions. 

Kevin Schuelke, director of Grant County Emergency Management says he and Daren Peterson, superintendent of the Grant County Highway Department and Grant County Sheriff Kevin Owen will now be able to make joint decisions to update the system with Grant County’s conditions. In the past, travelers had to rely on more generalized information provided by the state, which meant county roads that were closed or local travel advisories were not always included in the reports or entered into Google and other navigational mapping tools. 

According to Schuelke, “The 511 maps often would show the interstate closed, but show other roads open. Travelers would attempt to drive those and encounter major problems as they typically are worse than the interstate.” The local updates can now be added much faster and can pinpoint problems to help travelers avoid unpleasant surprises.

To access this information, go to SDDOT 511’s website at https://sd511.org, mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices, and the legacy 511 phone number that can be dialed toll-free anywhere in South Dakota. Callers outside South Dakota can dial 800-MYSD511 (800-697-3511). You can also subscribe to receive text messages and/or email notifications for road closure updates and travel advisories along routes of your choice. 

SDDOT offers a free text notification system for Interstate road closures. To subscribe, text SDInterstates to 605.836.8836.

To date, 60 of the state’s 66 counties and eight of nine tribes are registered to participate this winter. Lincoln County has opted to participate in the updates.  Lincoln County includes the cities of Harrisburg, Tea, Lennox, Canton, Worthing, Fairview, Hudson, Beresford and a southern portion of Sioux Falls.

The counties of Minnehaha, Miner, Turner, Hutchinson, Gregory, Mellette and Todd  and the Rosebud Sioux tribal government will not participate in updating the local conditions. Minnehaha County includes parts of Sioux Falls, Dell Rapids, Harrison, Brandon, Garretson, Baltic, Crooks, Colton, Valley Springs, Humboldt, and Sherman.  

Craig Smith SDDOT Director of Operations notes, “(Participating) local officials will now be able to designate their counties and tribal areas as “no travel advised” or “roads closed” during severe storms. The local restrictions will be displayed on SD511’s maps and road condition reports and transmitted to navigation app providers, enabling travelers to plan and complete their travel more safely.” 

“I strongly stress for people to  know, research. and understand their routes for best roads to travel and not rely totally on navigation devices. especially during winter months,” advised Schuelke.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.