Ran across article...worth noting if you're heading out in 2024, esp if you're going out before the rally or after the rally....

Sounds like (?) it'll be open for the rally, though one has to wonder what that may look like "Some holiday, weekend and Sturgis rally road openings will take place.". YMMV
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Highway 385 project will close road critical to $2 billion Black Hills tourism industry

The three-year project will include five separate complete closures of the winding two-lane highway that flows amid scenic lakes, giant rock outcroppings and dramatic ridge lines.

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/new...urism-industry

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All construction in the hills stop for the Rally.

 

They're making the improvements to protect ourselves from ourselves. You won't see it closed during the rally but it's the primary north south route to the northern hills, other option is 16 to RC and N on I-90. It's going to be a problem for the locals who depend on it to get places.

https://us-385.com/project-updates/

Hopefully the S Rochford Road paving project gets started early and I was told this summer it should be completed by August.

 

I kinda shook my head when i read the reasoning, too many accidents!? Slow the hell down then! But i guess we know that wont happen, so they have to do this.

 

I drove up thru there today and they are cutting trees from Pactola going north past 44. It's looking like they are going to knock out some big bluffs to straighten some curves. Disappointing they didn't just drop the speed limit in those areas. Can't believe Pactola still has open water in the middle.

 

So make it into another section of slab for the tourist

Very disappointing, how damn stupid do you have to be to not be able to safely drive that road in its current state

 

Too bad they didn't drop the speed limit and possibly some other things to get people to slow down. My experience is when they widen and straighten the roads, people only drive faster. Hope it doesn't make things worse.

It's such an amnazing and beautiful place so I have difficulty understanding what the hurry is. Slow down and enjoy the ride. It's not New York for Christ sake!

Paul

 

Will this run in front of Moonshine Gulch Saloon?

 

I agree, I don't understand why so many drive like their trying to break their personal best time. There are so many incredible views that get missed. There are days when I see something I hadn't noticed before.


It does. A couple miles S of the Saloon it became gravel. It should be paved all the way to Deerfield and offer a second paved N/S route from Lead to Hill City. Moonshine was sold last winter to new owners, they've made a few changes but for the most part it looks like it did when Betsy was still with us.

 

this is disappointing to read