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Utility Improvements
The Dell Rapids 3rd Street Improvements Project was a large scale, nearly $8 million infrastructure improvements project that was constructed over two years. 3rd Street is part of the secondary truck route in Dell Rapids, a city that sees an abundance of heavy truck traffic from the various industries in and around town. This project improved the route in the southern portion of the community along 3rd Street from SD Highway 115 east to Orleans Avenue and Orleans Avenue from 3rd Street to 4th Street and replaced all the underground utilities. The surface and utilities along the adjacent side streets were also replaced from 3rd Street to 4th Street as part of the project. Additionally, areas south of 3rd Street were improved, particularly where drainage and utility improvements were needed. The 3rd Street project placed over 13,700 square yards of concrete pavement, almost 42,000 square feet of sidewalk, approximately 5,000 feet of Sanitary Sewer & Services, almost 5,500 feet of Water Main & Services, over 4,800 feet of Storm Sewer, over 70 drainage structures, and almost 800 cubic yards of Rock Excavation. This project proved that the work can be performed economically all while providing a better, longer lasting, and more durable surface.
Located in McCook County, Salem is a vibrant community of 1,500 residents, strategically positioned between Sioux Falls and Mitchell. This prime location makes Salem an ideal place for living, working, and attracting new businesses.
The southwest portion of Salem, known as the “Industrial Area,” has long hosted established businesses and offers ample space for new ventures. However, outdated infrastructure posed challenges, necessitating significant improvements.
In 2020, city leaders prioritized upgrades in a Capital Improvements Plan. Partnering with DGR Engineering, Salem embarked on a comprehensive project to enhance utility and roadway infrastructure. Funding from State Revolving Funds (SRF) and a Community Access Grant from the SDDOT supported the nearly $3.8 million project, which began construction in 2024.
Public engagement was crucial, ensuring minimal disruption to local businesses. Engineers implemented phased construction, interim completion dates, and temporary access routes. Concrete roads were chosen for their durability, setting a precedent for future projects.
This infrastructure enhancement unlocks new growth opportunities, strengthens connectivity, and boosts efficiency, fostering a thriving environment for businesses and the community.
Parking Upgrade
A+ Parking UPgrade for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Project Owner:
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Upgrading Western Iowa Tech Community College's parking lots 5 and 6 in Sioux City significantly enhances the daily experience for students, faculty and staff. As the campus grows, there is a strong demand for attentive and efficient solutions.
A well-planned upgrade can solve many challenges including the number of spaces, accessibility, safety, drainage and environmental impacts.
This project involved the replacement of 8,870 sq. yards of pavement, as well as adding storm sewer, landscape islands and lighting. Careful planning and management were essential to minimize disruptions to students, faculty and staff during a two-stage construction sequence.
A few challenges were encountered during utility installation that required additional consideration. The first was the discovery of an unknown watermain after the proposed watermain had already been installed. A plan revision was quickly developed to maintain the recently installed new water main, while still allowing for the recently-discovered water main to be tied in. The project was able to continue with little delay.
Additionally, there was an existing underground roof drain pipe that was too deep to gravity drain to the proposed storm sewer manhole just downstream. A revision was made to remove a portion of the existing pipe, as well as modify the delivered storm sewer manhole to tie in the roof drain line.
Stormwater flow and drainage were also critical components of the paving improvements. Improved drainage with new subdrains (1,171 LF), storm sewer (832 LF), and intakes throughout the parking lot, were installed to capture stormwater efficiently and effectively.
Another consideration was to optimize the parking lot layout for access by delivery vehicles, service vehicles, and garbage service. The reconstructed parking lot included 166 new parking stalls including six handicapped spaces, 5-ft. sidewalks, new landscaped islands with lighting, and a new fire hydrant.
By creating defined islands, traffic flow was improved, guiding vehicles of all uses through the designated pathways for easier navigation and increased safety. The installation of new LED lighting provides improved illumination for both vehicles and pedestrians, increasing security and visibility during evening hours.
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Northwest Iowa
Poor drainage was causing accelerated deterioration along Hawarden’s Avenue L, which serves as the primary collector route to the town’s nursing facilities and the local hospital. When repeat efforts to patch and repair this critical stretch of roadway were only fleetingly effective, the City of Hawarden partnered with DGR Engineering to develop a comprehensive approach for improving Avenue L for the long-term benefit of the community.
The improvements included installing a new storm sewer system, making repairs to the existing water main and sanitary sewer, and taking steps to improve future drainage, all before installing new 6” concrete pavement.
DGR Engineering (DGR) and the Town of Chancellor worked together to plan an infrastructure improvements project. Ultimately, solutions were divided into three project phases. Phase 1 included Main Street and the west half of the community. The Town of Chancellor received funding which included nearly 89% in grants and principal loan forgiveness.
Phase 1 included the beginning of a new storm sewer system. DGR and the Town worked with landowners to acquire the needed land and easements for a new storm sewer outlet. It allowed the storm sewer to be extended across the southern end of town in each of the phases of construction, connecting each of the street’s drainage to a larger diameter storm pipe to improve drainage.
Chancellor was awarded Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for their planned Phase 2 project, which covered the central part of the community. They followed with funding for their Phase 3 project and were successful in securing approximately 85% grant and principal loan forgiveness for both Phase 2 and Phase 3 projects.
Each of the project phases included the replacement of sanitary sewer main and services with PVC pipe, replacement of all sanitary manholes with new concrete manholes, replacement and up-sizing of PVC pipe water main and water services as well as adding additional water services to areas that previously did not have existing water main. New street surfacing was placed after the underground improvements. While Main Street included concrete surfacing on the north two blocks, the remaining streets will maintain a rural section paved with asphalt surfacing. The rural section is designed with minor ditches graded along the roadways and culvert replacement at the driveways and intersections to allow the stormwater to flow to the storm sewer system, located at the southern portions of the streets, to reduce the stormwater ponding that had occurred.
The infrastructure investment will significantly improve and benefit the community and all residents. They are looking forward to project completion and many years ahead with reliable infrastructure to support their Town.