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Concrete surfacing
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 However, outdated infrastructure posed challenges, necessitating significant improvements.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.
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.