OFF THE WIRE
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/8dfe7f8a8e7c4bb6b15a804712842ebb/SD--Sturgis-Traffic/#
South Dakota Transportation officials are considering several ideas to reduce traffic congestion during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which draws hundreds of vendors and hundreds of thousands of people to the small western South Dakota town each year.
"Anyone who has been here for any rally has thought about it," project engineer Monica Heller said.
The effort centers on reducing congestion on state Highway 34, the Rapid City Journal reported. Ideas include various changes to driving lanes and traffic signs on area streets and avenues, with officials focusing on the safety of both pedestrians and motorists.
"None of these options are mutually exclusive," Department of Transportation engineer Todd Seaman said. "We could do all of them or we could do none of them."
The department held a public meeting in Sturgis on Monday and is taking public comments through the end of the month. Some of the ideas likely will be tried out during this year's rally, Heller said. The 71st annual rally is scheduled Aug. 8-14.
