RAPID CITY, S.D. – Portions of Needles Highway and American Center Road are closed Tuesday as maintenance crews work to clear debris from recent weather events.

South Dakota State Park officials announced the temporary closure affects Needles Highway from Playhouse Road to American Center Road. The closure extends to the point where the standard winter gate currently restricts travel for the season.

Additionally, American Center Road is closed from the Needles Highway junction to the Custer State Park boundary.

The short-term restriction is expected to last for today only. According to park representatives, the closure is necessary to allow crews to safely remove downed trees that have obstructed the main roadways.

Motorists traveling near the Black Hills and Rapid City areas are advised to seek alternate routes. Officials requested that the public avoid the restricted zones to provide maintenance teams the space required to complete the tree removal operations.