The City of Dickinson has successfully completed eight major road construction projects in 2025, with a total installed cost estimated at approximately $21 million. The initiatives aimed to enhance traffic flow and accommodate future growth while ensuring the safety of residents. The completion of these projects marks a significant achievement for the community and reflects proactive planning by city officials.
Joshua Skluzacek, the city engineer and community development director, has been instrumental in overseeing these developments during his three-year tenure. Under his guidance, the city allocated its largest share of the budget—approximately $7.1 million—to general road maintenance, which was funded locally.
Various funding sources supported other projects, with federal and state funds playing a crucial role. For instance, the replacement of traffic signals along Highway 22 was funded at $1.5 million from federal sources and $0.4 million from state funds, covering 95% of the nearly $2 million project cost. Community feedback played a vital role in preserving a traffic signal on Third Street near Berg Elementary.
Another notable project was the facelift of Sims Street from 2nd Street to 9th Street, which cost $5 million. This project utilized a combination of funding sources, including just over $2 million from local funds, $959,700 from grants and donations, and loans that made up the remaining $2 million.
In addition, the city executed critical water main replacements costing $1.5 million and lead line replacements totaling $115,000. Skluzacek expressed pride in the city’s proactive approach to these replacements, noting that the loans obtained for these projects are forgivable at a rate of 75%.
Four projects qualified for grant funding, with the most substantial being the water main replacement, which benefitted from over $2.1 million in grants. Other projects included the Sims Street improvements and lead line replacement, which received $0.4 million and $0.2 million respectively for the DHS water main extension.
Favorable weather conditions throughout the year facilitated the timely completion of all projects, as noted by Skluzacek. The city’s budget documents for 2025 and 2026 are accessible on the official website under the Government and Financial sections, providing transparency to the public regarding spending and planning.
Looking ahead, officials plan to highlight further developments in other areas of city services in the coming months, with a return to road construction updates anticipated in spring 2026. This approach underscores the city’s commitment to continuous improvement and infrastructure development for its residents.
Carter Fong, the Marketing and Events Director for the City of Dickinson, provides this commentary as part of ongoing community engagement efforts. Feedback can be directed to [email protected].
