City seeks state DOT grant to pave 'RAD route to school' in North Spearfish; hires FMG for application work

City staff asked for council approval to apply for the South Dakota Department of Transportation's Transportation Alternatives grant to pave the "RAD route to school," a connection from North Canyon Street to Creekside Elementary that was identified in the Parks and Rec master plan. Abby Larson said the project would make the route ADA-compliant and be part of a phased plan to expand the rec path on the east side of the creek.

Rex and Abby described two alignment options — the cul-de-sac option from the safety action plan and a city-property alignment that avoids the floodway; the application will evaluate both. Staff also requested and the council approved a $2,200 agreement with FMG Engineering to prepare DOT-required cost estimates, scope of services and engineering exhibits for the grant submission.