Why the Project Now?
- The I-29 Exit 130 Interchange project was driven by the critical timeline imposed by the BUILD grant. The grant required that the interchange’s environmental assessment, design, right-of-way acquisition, and bidding be completed within a compressed 18-month period to avoid forfeiting the allocated funds. Typically, a minimum of 4 years would be necessary to complete those steps.
- To improve this intersection, right-of-way from Edgebrook Golf Course (EGC) must be acquired. However, as EGC is designated as a 6(f) Land and Water Conservation Act property, it cannot be repurposed for non-recreational use unless an equivalent replacement property of equal value and utility is secured.
- The extensive approval process required for this conversion posed a significant risk to the overall project’s bidding deadline of November 2021. Therefore, the steps to convert the EGC property, acquire it, and construct the intersection to accommodate large vehicles were not completed as part of the 2022/2023 interchange project.
- The 2022/2023 interchange project was completed under budget, allowing the remaining BUILD grant funds to be allocated. This allowed the City of Brookings to optimize the grant’s terms, ensuring that the maximum number of eligible improvements (including widening the intersection corners) can be completed within the overall project’s scope.
