Exit to Summit
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*A Real Concern*
Dear Secretary Payne,

We would respectfully ask the Department of Transportation to explore the possibility of establishing a Summit exit at the point
where 144th Street crosses over the top of Interstate 29 as a part of the I-29 resurfacing project scheduled for 2010. (Project
#197, IM0970193) The following points outline some but not necessarily all of the reasons we feel that this project should be
considered.

Safety is the most significant concern. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line runs between Summit and Highway 12. It'S also
the point where east bound and west bound trains pass on this major east west line. This results in the town being totally cut off
for periods of as much as 40 minutes. The Summit fire department and the first responders are unable to access Highway 12
and I-29. Ambulances are unable to get to calls within  the city of Summit. The only access to Highway 12 and I-19 for the Summit
fire department and first responders is to go on e half mile south of town and then go 3 miles west on 144th Street to old
Highway 81 then 2 miles north on old Highway 81 to Highway 12 where they then need to go east 2.5 miles to get to I-29.

The Summit volunteer fire department is the primary responder to a significant portion of Highway 12 and I-29. This area is also
known for some of the most treacherous weather in the state of South Dakota as it frequently experiences heavy fog, high winds
and extreme blizzard conditions. Quick response to and securing of accident scenes is necessary to prevent them from turning
into much worse accidents. Getting injured individuals to emergency medical facilities in a timely fashion is a challenge. The
nearest emergency rooms are 33 miles away in Watertown, 22 miles away in Milbank, 29 miles away in Sisseton and 25 miles
away in Webster . EMTs and Paramedics refer to the "Golden Hour" which says that for the best chance of survival an injured
individual must be stabilized from medical facilities it is difficult to get patience to medical care within an hour even under the best
of circumstances. These delays could ultimately lead to unnecessary fatalities for the citizens of Summit and individuals injured
in accidents on Highway 12 and I.  An exit at 144th Street would eliminate unnecessary delays in providing emergency services
and fir protection. Sum it is surrounded by significant amounts of range and fire protection. Summit is surrounded by significant
amounts of range land, CPR and hay land. Train fires are not uncommon as they come up the grade to Summit, If dry conditions
similar to what are currently occurring over much of the state were to affect the Summit area one of these fires could quickly get
out of hand resulting in significant costs to fight in addition to the damage done by the fire. It is entirely plausible that a train  
crawling the grade could start a grass fire that the summit fir department would be unable to respond to because the same train
has the city blocked in as it passes an east bound train.

We anticipate that these delays due to rail traffic will be increasing in the future at the same time that traffic through the area will
likely increase with the completion of the highway 12 project. Some of the local development activities would be greatly enhanced
for Summit. Businesses are concerned about locating in Summit because their delivery trucks and work crews could spend
significant increase rail traffic are the Big Stone power plant expansion, the expansion of the Northern Lights Ethanol plant, the
new West con unit train facility, the new West Con fertilizer facility and the expansion of the Valley Queen Cheese Plant.

An exit at 144th Street would have benefits in addition to improving safety for the community of Summit and travelers on Highway
12 and I-29. Economic development activities would be greatly enhanced for summit. Businesses are concerned about locating
in Summit because their delivery trucks and work crews could spend significant amounts of time waiting for train traffic to clear. If
they establish their businesses north of  the tracks they eliminate delays going outside the community but still have delays
entering the community and have effectively cut themselves off from fire protection and emergency services during the times
trains cut them off from the community. Any development that would take place along 144th Street could benefit two counties
depending on which side of the road it takes place. 144th Street is a blacktop road jointly maintained by Grant and Roberts
County as it is the county line. Establishing the exit as a part of the I-29 resurfacing project may have a positive impact on the cost
as it may be possible to locate a stockpile or batching site at that location.  Construction traffic at the Highway 12 and I-29 exit
may be able to be reduced. This exit would provide direct access to the public access at Summit Lake. The number of vehicles
crossing traffic to access highway 12 from Summit and then crossing traffic to take I-29 southbound would be reduced as most
of this traffic would use the 144th Street exit. Traffic entering Highway 12 from Summit can be a traffic hazard especially during
foggy or blizzard conditions.

The economic development aspect of this exit cannot be ignored as the community of Summit has shown a aggressive
commitment to expand business in the community. Summit has passed a school opt out with one of the largest margins of any
opt out int South Dakota. Community leaders and supporters have mounted an aggressive campaign to attract new businesses
to the community through the purchase of billboard space along I-29 and advertising the community through regional radio ads.
Without a viable volunteer fire department to provide emergency services for the community and the surrounding area which
includes a significant portion of Highway 12 and I-29.

In addition to the businesses already in Summit new developments are underway including a campground, a second bed and
breakfast, and antique store, a driving range, golf course and club house and a Native American leather shop. Other businesses
that are currently looking at the town are a hotel, livestock supply outlet and a tower erection and maintenance company. Several
businesses have expressed an interest in developing the area on the north side of town along Highway 12. Summit also sits in
the middle of one of the most productive wind ridges in the Midwest and could be very important in the development of South
Dakota's wind power resources.

While the railroad is an asset to the state and area it is currently a safety and development obstruction to the community and local
area. An exit a t 144th Street would turn the railroad into a tremendous asset for the community. Safety and access would no
longer be compromised and development  opportunities would be enhanced by the railroad. The Summit location at the junction
of an interstate highway and a four lane highway with access to a major railroad would open up markets all over the world for
South Dakota manufactured products. An exit would open up opportunities for container shipping or regional distribution  
facilities to efficiently reach large areas of the upper Midwest while also providing ready access to the shipping of local products
to the east and west coast and foreign markets.

Sooner or later unfortunate events will come together to turn a small accident or event into a major catastrophe that could have
been avoided.