Crews surveying utilities on Highway 269
On August 13, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will begin the first stage of construction on the Eastside Highway, Highway 269, for the Stevensville Safety Improvements project. Travel will be reduced to one lane as crews survey underground utilities to determine the location of fiber optic lines. This work is anticipated to last approximately three days and will occur in two locations south of Bell Crossing at Willoughby Creek and Web Foot Ditch. With crews and equipment near the roadway, drivers are encouraged to be mindful of changing conditions and be alert for workers.
“We are looking forward to getting this project up and running” John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Construction Engineer, said. “This stretch of Highway 269 is one of the most dangerous highway sections in our state and MDT is ready to make the safety improvements necessary to keep our neighbors safe.”
Full roadway construction for Stevensville Safety Improvements project is slated to begin in the spring of 2021 with the possibility of intermittent lane closures occurring this fall. Construction will begin just north of the intersection of North Birch Creek Road and the Eastside Highway and will extend 5.9 miles north to the Pine Hollow Road intersection. A project map can be found online for reference at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/southstevi/.
The proposed work plan for Stevensville Safety Improvements project includes widening the existing roadway to include four-foot shoulders on both sides of the highway and flattening the roadside slopes. Additionally, a new flashing signal will be placed at Bell Crossing, and Willoughby Lane will be realigned to better facilitate safe travel at the intersection.
Utility upgrades, limited installations of guardrail, and bridge replacements will occur throughout the project area.
Upon completion, the roadway will be sealed and new pavement markings and signs will be added.
Throughout the course of this project, Big Sky Public Relations will be sending weekly updates and is available to answer questions from the public. Those interested in staying up-to-date are encouraged to send a request to Katie Klietz at katie@bigskypublicrelations.com; call the project hotline at (406) 207-4484; or visit the project webpage: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/southstevi/.
The Montana Department of Transportation together with its construction contracting partners are taking the COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. Construction projects on Montana’s roads and bridges are considered an “essential” operation and will move forward as scheduled in 2020. While construction workers traveling to a worksite are exempt from the 14-day self-isolation travel rules, several measures have been implemented to help keep employees, contractors and the public safe during the construction season. Some of the measures include following social distancing and good hygiene guidelines, and not reporting to work if showing symptoms of illness. For more information visit https://covid19.mt.gov/
Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.