 The route that is currently South Dakota 127 was established in 1926 as part of U.S. Highway 81, the Meridian Highway.In 1980, construction of the segment of Interstate 29 was completed north of exit 246, and U.S. 81 was rerouted from this point northward into North Dakota.The old route from I-29 to the North Dakota border near White Rock was designated as South Dakota Highway 127.