RAPID CITY, SD—City of Rapid City officials remind the public to utilize an online feature to report non-emergency concerns about roadway safety such as potholes, non-working street lights, damaged traffic signs and similar issues.
The original ‘Report a Problem’ online feature was launched in 2023 by Rapid City’s Public Works Department to report non-emergency issues. Recently, the site got an upgrade to make it more user-friendly. The public is encouraged to visit the updated “Report a Roadway Safety Concern” page at https://forms.rcgov.org/roadwaysafety when they see issues with potholes, street lights, traffic signs or other issues related to non-emergency safety issues with roads and streets.
When visiting the site, users are guided through several questions to gather information that City crews need in order to locate and address the reported concerns. Users can provide a contact phone number or e-mail if they want to speak to City staff about the item they are reporting.
City Public Works Administration Operations Manager Shannon Truax said the public provides important assistance to the department in getting issues identified. Truax says the City consistently averages 15-20 requests per week from the public.
“The online reporting feature has been an important tool for the public to share details with the City’s Public Works Department when they notice an issue out in the community” said Truax. “The updated site helps us gather additional information that will help us be more responsive. People notice street light issues more in the fall and winter when it gets dark earlier. They notice potholes more when they are out and about more in nice weather.
“Our crews can’t be everywhere at all times so the public serves an important role, as a collective second set of eyes to help us find and address concerns that may not come to our attention like non-functioning streetlights, pothole locations and other concerns with traffic signs and signals.” The new site also helps citizens know when an issue needs immediate attention, and directs them to contact emergency services. “If a stop sign is missing, or a traffic signal is completely dark, those are concerns that need immediate attention and the new reporting tool will direct you to call 911 to report it.”
Regarding issues with street lights, Truax said that City-owned light poles are metal and display a four-digit number a few feet off the ground. The pole number or the block of the street with the malfunctioning light will allow for a more immediate response from City crews. “Streetlights in residential neighborhoods are owned and maintained by the electric provider. These are usually mounted on wooden poles. When reports about those lights come in, our traffic team notifies the electric utility so they can schedule the maintenance or repair.” While most concerns can be addressed during the regular work day, for City-owned street lights, a crew will be dispatched to the affected location before dawn, so that the issue can be evaluated and the appropriate repairs can be planned.
For members of the public that prefer to make a report over the phone, they can contact Public Works Citizen Support at 605-791-5577. Callers should provide as much detail as they can on the location of the street light, pothole or traffic sign issue.
