Deadwood Box Corridor Study

Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) Process

We are soliciting input on the consideration of visual impacts of the project in a Visual Impacts Assessment (VIA) process.

The Deadwood Box Study Team is considering three build alternatives for detailed evaluation as part of a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA). The public was previously invited to comment on two alternatives regarding the visual environment [Alternative 1A and 1C-1 (previously 1C)]. An additional alternative has been added to the evaluation (1C-3). The build alternatives under consideration vary in terms of the roadway location, parking location, drainage structure length, and hillside impacts.

Coordination with the National Park Service, Deadwood Historic Preservation Comission, and the South Dakota Historic Preservation Office has resulted in a commitment to review potential direct and indirect impacts to the National Historic Landmark (NHL) and state/local historic districts associated with the City of Deadwood. Potential impacts resulting from the build alternative's project scope include:

• Physical disturbance within the districts and of properties within the districts
• Noise and vibration
• Change in the visual environment during or post construction

As recommended by the South Dakota Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration, a VIA process is being conducted for the Deadwood Box Project. The VIA process includes consideration of visual preferences of the local community, both as residents viewing the project corridor and as travelers through the corridor.

The Deadwood Box Study team has prepared renderings from three to five viewpoints of the three build alternatives (1A, 1C-1, and 1C-3) within the NHL and historic districts. Alternative 1A's parking would remain east of the highway and would not require any hillside excavation. A portion of Alternative 1C-1's and 1C-3's parking would be moved to the west of the highway and would require hillside impacts (or excavation) east of the highway to accommodate shifting the highway. Alternative 1C-3 would require less excavation of the hillside east of the highway. However, Alternative 1C-3 would involve elevating the lanes of the highway and providing a retaining wall and fence between the highway above and the western parking area below.

If you would like to review the renderings in greater detail, or if you are on a mobile device, the renderings can also be found within this PDF.

The comment period for the VIA process closed on October 11, 2023.