A new information line activated this week in South Dakota is designed to help travelers get timely information on road and weather conditions. The new line will replace the state's five existing road report phone numbers.

By dialing 5-1-1, cellular or land-based telephone users will get up-to-date, location-specific road and weather information on any interstate, U.S., or state highway in South Dakota.

The 5-1-1 service will replace the four phone numbers for pre-recorded road reports that the South Dakota Highway Patrol has operated in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Pierre and Rapid City. Those numbers will expire Dec. 31.

It will also replace the #SAFE number SDDOT has provided for cellular phone callers since 1996.

The cellular company Verizon has not agreed to recognize 5-1-1 calls. Verizon customers and land-based telephone callers can access 5-1-1 by dialing 866-MYSD511 (866-697-3511).