Flandreau Santee Sioux officials confirm that groundbreaking for a new Crescent Street Bridge over the Big Sioux River could begin as early as next year.
IMEG Engineering has been hired to develop plans for the project, with the hope of completing the process by fall. Bid requests are expected later this year, with construction anticipated to start in early 2025.
“We have applied for funding from the EPA’s Community Change Grant to fully replace the Crescent Street Bridge,” said Tribal Spokesman Francis Wakeman.

The bridge is a crucial link for residents, Flandreau Indian School (FIS) staff, and visitors, connecting downtown Flandreau with homes and FIS to the north.
Plans also include redeveloping the area around the bridge and dam into a destination spot, thanks to strengthened partnerships between Tribal and non-Tribal leaders.
Recent engineering work has involved marking properties along Crescent Street for a new, widened road that will include a pedestrian and bike pathway. This bike path will extend from the Sinclair gas station near the Casino at the southern edge of the community, across the Crescent Street Bridge, and north to the Wacipi Grounds on Highway 13.
This initiative builds on years of collaboration between the City, State, BIA, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux. The previous bridge, built in 1935, was closed in 2014 and removed in 2022 due to safety concerns.