MDT invites public to discuss highway medians

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has announced a meeting in Hamilton on Wednesday, June 26 to take public comment on a proposal to concrete the island medians on Highway 93. The fact that contracts for the project had already been let led several people involved in the original highway design Focus Groups to question the County Commissioners about those plans. Several people, including local attorney Jim Shockley, protested the changes and complained that they had been left out of the decision making process. As a result, MDT has scheduled a meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Ravalli County Commissioners Conference Room, 3rd Floor, 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton to “discuss the proposal.”

“Community participation is a very important part of the process, and the public is encouraged to attend,” states MDT in a press release. Opinion, comments and concerns may also be submitted in writing at the meeting or by mail to Jack May, Missoula Division Maintenance Chief, at the Montana Department of Transportation Missoula District Office, P.O. Box 7039, Missoula MT 59807, or by email at jamay@mt.gov or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml. Indicate comments are for the U.S. 93 Median Island project and submit comments by July 3, 2013.

Proposed work includes removal of existing landscaping in some of the median islands on U.S. 93 between Lolo and Hamilton to be replaced with decorative concrete. The purpose of the project is to construct a more maintainable median island. Construction is tentatively planned for July of 2013, depending on completion of design and availability of funds.

For more information contact Lori Ryan, Public Information, MDT, (406) 444-6821 or Ed Toavs, Missoula District Administrator, (406) 523-5802.