South Dakota Transportation Commission officials said the panel has awarded 40 preliminary engineering Bridge Improvement Grants (BIG) totaling $1.47 million.
The BIG program was created in 2015 by Senate Bill 1, pooling $7 million annually from funds generated by license plate fees earmarked for the repair and replacement of aging local bridges. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) contributes an additional $8 million yearly to the funding initiative, per officials.
Authorities indicated the remainder of the $13.53 million 2021 BIG funding allotment would be used for Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Replacement grants to be approved by next April.
The following cities and counties would receive grant funds: Aurora County, Brookings County (3), Butte County (2), Codington County, Davison County (4), Day County, Deuel County (2), Dewey County, Douglas County, Grant County (2), Gregory County, City of Hot Springs, Hutchinson County (2), Lake County, Lawrence County, Mellette County, Miner County, Minnehaha County (3), Perkins County, Roberts County (3), Turner County, Union County (4), Yankton County and the City of Yankton.
In order to receive a grant award, local governments must pay a minimum of 20 percent matching funds; have three years to expend the grant; counties are required to have a wheel tax and a five-year Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan.
The next round of BIG program applications is due Jan. 2, 2021, for preservation, rehabilitation, and replacement categories.