Survey Says Sioux Falls Streets in ‘Very Good’ Condition
Published on July 24, 2024
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Sioux Falls streets are in “very good” condition overall, according to third-party vendor Roadway Asset Services (RAS), which analyzed the condition of the City’s street network last fall. The City of Sioux Falls received a pavement condition index (PCI) of 73 out of 100, which lands in the higher end of the PCI national average range of 65 to 75.
The PCI is the result of a pavement management survey done by RAS that collects and analyzes data to determine the overall health of City streets. For any municipality, the goal of pavement management is to extend a roadway’s lifespan at the lowest possible cost to maximize public dollars.
“As a Public Works team, we have a goal to maintain a PCI of 70 or higher, and we are pleased with a PCI of 73,” said Wes Philips, Principal Engineer for the City of Sioux Falls. “Taking a data-driven approach is key to investing in the right streets at the right time to extend their lifespan. Our score shows we are making, and need to continue making, the necessary investments in our street network.”
To collect the data, RAS deploys a high-tech van equipped with lasers, cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS), and other measuring sensors to drive down every City street. RAS conducted its survey in Sioux Falls in September 2023.
The pavement management survey results are used by the Public Works Engineering and Street Maintenance Divisions to prioritize and budget city streets for preservation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The City’s slurry seal and asphalt overlay programs conduct preventative maintenance and rehabilitation work each construction season that extends roadway lifespans. Larger reconstruction and expansion projects are planned for and budgeted in the City’s five-year Capital Program.
In addition to the pavement management survey, the City considers other factors in street project selection, including utility condition, traffic volume, safety, pedestrian needs, neighborhood grouping for efficiency, locations of other street projects to prevent major impact on an area, maximizing economic efficiency, and funding availability.
“The City’s PCI score demonstrates our commitment to a well-maintained street network,” said Dustin Hansen, Street Operations Manager for the City of Sioux Falls. “We take immense pride in managing and enhancing this vital asset for the benefit of our community.”
The value of the City’s street pavement alone, not counting sidewalks, utilities, amenities, or other features, is over $2.6 billion. Sioux Falls has more than 3,455 lane miles, which is equivalent to building a two-lane road between Sioux Falls and San Diego, California.
The City of Sioux Falls undertakes a citywide pavement survey every four years. Sioux Falls last conducted a survey in 2019 which resulted in a rating of 70, which is also classified as “very good.”
A map of data collected by RAS during the pavement management survey, as of October 2023, is available on the City’s website. Current and recently completed street projects are not reflected in the map. The map is updated once per year at the end of the street construction season.