By A resolution to support naming 56 miles of U.S. Highway 12 in honor of the late Helen Miller of Aberdeen cleared the South Dakota Senate 35-0 on Thursday, Jan. 30.
It was on the consent calendar for Wednesday, Jan. 29, but was pulled at the request of Randy Deibert, R-Spearfish.
Helen Miller
MORE: Resolution would dedicate 56 miles of U.S. Highway 12 in honor of Helen Miller
Sen. Mike Rohl, R-Aberdeen, who introduced and sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 601, said it needed to be slightly amended. The state Department of Transportation requires a $2,000 application fee to rename a highway, he said. Rohl said Mike Bockorny, CEO of the Economic Development Professionals Association of South Dakota, said that money will be provided. The resolution will be a supporting piece of documentation for the application, Rohl said.
With the resolution and application, 56 miles of the highway between Groton and Interstate 29 will honor Miller. Miller was a community leader and strong advocate for expanding the stretch from two to four lanes. That work started in 2001 and finished in 2007. Miller died in 2002.
The resolution cleared the Senate Transportation Committee on a 6-0 vote on Friday, Jan. 24.