Repairs to the Badlands Loop Road at Cedar Pass in Badlands National Park in South Dakota have been delayed a bit while plans are developed for an emergency services plan and out of concern for how the closure could affect the local economy.

The road had been scheduled to close today for as long as six weeks while repairs were made to the road bed. Cedar Pass is a steep and unstable slump area and is continually undergoing active erosion, park officials said earlier this month. Recent record-breaking rainfall has added to the ongoing problem. On-site work has determined that the road cannot be stabilized without extensive corrective action, resulting in the necessary road closure.

But following a public meeting this past Monday, the decision to postpone the work was made.

“The community raised some really good questions,” said Reed Robinson, the park's deputy superintendent. “We need to take time to address their concerns about public safety and economic impacts.”

The park will work with emergency responders from Jackson and Pennington County Sherriff’s Offices, Interior Volunteer Fire Department, Kadoka Ambulance, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol to develop a comprehensive emergency services plan as a contingency for a potential road closure. The park and Federal Highways will reevaluate construction engineering options to work towards keeping one lane open.

There will be another public meeting on Monday, June 22, at 6 p.m. at the Interior Community Center.