SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO-AM) Sioux Falls enjoys a healthy road system above the national average, according to the results of a high tech street-by-street survey announced on Tuesday.
A van, specially equipped with lasers and cameras surveyed every inch of every street in Sioux Falls last summer.
"Our overall condition index came it at 70 on a scale of 1 to 100, and the national average is between 60 and 65," says City Public Works Director Mark Cotter.
Cotter says the survey also found that only about 4 percent of city streets are considered to be in poor or very poor condition and the national goal is to stay under 12 percent.
To make sure streets stay up to snuff, Cotter says nearly $3 million in additional funding will be recommended. He says this year road crews are improving about 670 blocks. In 2017, with the extra money, that will jump to 840 blocks.
The high tech street survey was conducted by Infrastructure Management Services (IMS). Cotter says the city now has a good, independent third party pavement survey to better plan for the future.