Project Update as of Friday, May 30
Current Construction
- Closure D (Be Still Road to Calumet Road) is in effect through Friday, June 13, 2025. During this time, the roadway in the closure area will not be open to through traffic.
- Outside of the closure area, but still within the Phase 2 construction area (south end of Pactola Dam to Calumet Road), travelers can expect pilot cars and wait times, the use of large construction equipment, narrowed driving lanes, and loose gravel surfacing.
- Sheridan Lake Fishing Pier and parking lot are both closed until Friday, June 13, 2025. Fishing access from Dakota Point and Sheridan Lake Campground will not be impacted.
- Phase 1 permanent surfacing activities have begun. The contractor will use pilot cars and flaggers as needed with traffic delays of up to 15 minutes. Surfacing activities start at the Pennington Lawrence County line and work south. Phase 1 surfacing is expected to be completed by mid-July 2025.
- Dust is being managed by the contractor on an as-needed basis.
Upcoming Construction
- Overnight construction activities are also taking place both within and outside of the Closure D project area. Travelers can expect traffic to be controlled through the use of flaggers and wait times of up to 15 minutes.
- Closure C (Sheridan Lake Road to Be Still Road) begins on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, and ends on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
- Closure E (Pactola Dam to Taylor Ranch Road) begins on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, and ends on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Updates
Highway 385 Construction – The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) is reconstructing a portion of U.S. Highway 385 between the Pennington-Lawrence county line and the south end of Sheridan Lake. Once completed, this section of U.S. Highway 385 will feature safety improvements, including wider shoulders on each side of the road where possible, improved road curves to meet current design standards, additional turning lanes to improve traffic flow, and new surfacing. Learn more about 385 construction below.
Alternative Routes
Don’t let something as common place as road construction derail your vacation! Highway 385 is a popular route between Deadwood and the central and southern Black Hills. However, many other options are available that add minimal travel time to your itinerary while offering scenic overlooks and historic points of interest along the way. The map below details some of these hidden gems. Other suggested options on your “Route Reimagined” are available through Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Association.
Visit www.us-385.com for detailed construction timelines and detour information. The SDDOT releases road condition updates regularly HERE.
Businesses are open on 385 – Click for more information
Tomahawk Country Club
Deadwood Outdoor Rentals
Steel Wheel Campground & Trading Post
Fish N Fry Campground
Mystic Hills Hideaway – Cabins, Camping and UTV Rentals
Custer Crossing Family Campground
385 Construction Alternative Routes Map
