HBI

July 29. 2010 12:09PM

CANTON – Concerns about the high volume of traffic expected on roads in Lincoln County, especially those that aren’t paved, during September’s LifeLight music festival were addressed Tuesday with a plan already in place and suggestions from Lincoln County officials.

For the first time, the LifeLight Music Festival will hold its popular three-day Christian music event on farmland east of Worthing starting Sept. 3. Last year’s event attracted about 300,000 people.

At Tuesday’s Lincoln County Commission meeting, Richard Osvog, representing the La Valley Township, said the township supports the music festival “100 percent” but has concerns that some county roads will not be able to handle traffic, specifically 475th Street, which turns into a dirt road a mile south of Harrisburg.

Heavier traffic on area gravel roads could lead to accidents or mishaps, Osvog said. “Eighty percent (of drivers) probably have never driven consistently on a gravel road. We don’t want some kids getting hurt or in the ditch seeking help.”

Most of the lodging will be in Sioux Falls, and back-and-forth travel will be through Lincoln County, where plenty of roads lead north to Sioux Falls. Travel through Worthing on 280th Street and Interstate 29 is the main route to the festival site, said Tony Pemberton, operations manager of the festival.

The festival is south of 280th Street and west of 475th Street, known as Cliff Avenue in the Sioux Falls area. Most accesses to the festival will be on 280th Street, Pemberton said.

Worthing is in Lynn Township, which borders the south part of La Valley Township. The townships meet at 279th Street.

Commissioners recommended that signs be posted at the stop sign in Harrisburg to direct Cliff Avenue traffic to go east or west to the interstate, Highway 11 or Highway 115, more commonly known as Minnesota Avenue.

At the end of each night, LifeLight schedules stage acts to finish at different times to allow smoother exit traffic, Pemberton said.

“We have announcements on the radio before the event, then we rely on signage and manpower when the event starts,” Pemberton said.

The commission gave temporary permission to the townships to post stop signs if needed.

The move to the Worthing area from the Wild Water West location brings about 65 more acres to hold the crowd that overflowed last year’s site.

County Commissioner Jim Schmidt commended Osvog for coming to the commission with concerns. “I commend you for taking time and responsibility to come in and draw this to our attention and to (Sheriff) Dennis (Johnson) and LifeLight, I think you have a great plan. I’m very pleased,” Schmidt said.