By Michael Howell
A section of the Eastside Highway stretching from a point a little bit north of the Birch Creek Road (mile post 12) intersection to a point a little bit south of the Pine Hollow Road intersection (mile post 18.1) has recently been field reviewed for implementation of a safety improvement project that will involve widening the pavement to provide four-foot wide paved shoulders on each side.
State Senator Fred Thomas said that he took Montana Department of Transportation officials on a tour of the highway last summer to show them how hazardous the road is in that area. There are long stretches without any shoulders. The road simply drops off at a steep incline at the edge of the driving lane. Thomas said that records show many accidents along that stretch of road, including at least two fatalities.
“I’m glad that the department saw the safety issues involved and is moving forward with a project designed to alleviate the hazards,” said Thomas.
MDT Project Manager Ed Toavs said the plan was to rip up the existing asphalt, re-grade and gravel the road bed, and re-pave the road. The finished product will be an asphalt road 32 feet across with two four-foot shoulders and two 12-foot driving lanes. He said the pavement will include rumble strips at the edge of the driving lanes and down the center line. It will also include some new signage. The slopes down from the edge of the shoulders will also be flattened out. The project will involve the replacement of a few small bridges and culverts along the route.
According to Toavs, the cost of the project has been estimated preliminarily at $6 million and 3 to 5 years to complete. He said the project will involve some right of way acquisition and some utility work.
“It’s a really good project,” said Toavs. “There have been lots of accidents and a few mortalities. We are pleased to have this safety improvement project underway.”