County may have to payback road money

By Bev Pechan

That’s probably what will happen, says chairman of the Pennington County Commission, Ken Davis.
“Davis has long been a proponent of seeing the road paved, which will allow three corridors for Black Hills through traffic and make the area more commuter-friendly.
But Davis admits there are rural residents along that 18-mile stretch of roadway between Rochford and Deerfield Lake who do not want to see increased usage in what they vision as their own private haven. There is also a spiritual sanctuary whose principals claim upgrading the road will require an extensive environmental impact study (EIS) to prevent potential Native artifacts from being disturbed during reconstruction.
Davis contends that allowing more traffic on an improved road in that area north and west of Hill City will bring more motorists through town, including Sturgis Rally-goers looking for an alternative route from Deadwood to the Southern Hills and will aid the town’s economy. The portion of the road in question is currently unpaved, which, Davis says, will eventually see more traffic anyway, but will most likely increase in potentially hazardous conditions, such as dust and accidents.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer, to subscribe call 605.574.2538.