The Pierre City Commission has awarded low-bidder and Minnesota-based company, Central Specialties, the $1.82 million contract to construct a new cell at the Pierre Regional Landfill.
According to City of Pierre Solid Waste Superintendent, Val Keller, the new cell will provide the capacity to dispose of more than a decade’s worth of trash.
“This contract calls for the excavation of 220,000 cubic yards of dirt,” said Keller. “With the mechanisms we have in place to optimize landfill space, this cell should last about 14 years.”
Keller explained further that the city bales trash to efficiently use the available space. It also has a recycling program and rubble debris pit to minimize disposal needs.
There is space for another ten cells at the landfill to be developed once the new cell reaches capacity. The Pierre Regional Landfill does accept material from communities and rural areas in seven different counties.
There were five qualified bidders for the landfill expansion contract. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring.
This project is supported by funding from the South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Further commission action is expected at a later date to update the state funding application.