The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has announced a construction project at the Bell Crossing and US Highway 93 (US 93) intersection in Victor. According to the MDT website, a two-lane roundabout has been selected as the design alternative to enhance safety features and improve traffic flow at this location. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
The site states, “Multiple crashes and near misses have occurred in this area, requiring an improved intersection design. MDT has selected the two-lane roundabout design to enhance roadway safety features. The entire US 93 corridor is a top priority for MDT.”
In 2024, the project team will select a design build team, and then work to finalize right-of-way agreements and the two-lane roundabout design. An open house will be held later this year to share additional details with the public and gather feedback. Updates about the open house will be provided once it has been scheduled.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring or summer of 2025, weather and other factors permitting. Updates about impacts to traffic will be provided as construction approaches. MDT will provide educational material on two-lane roundabouts before construction starts, to ensure that drivers are prepared for this traffic configuration.
For more information or if you have questions, call the project hotline at 406-207-4484 during business hours or email katie@bigskypublicrelations.com.
Tammy says
This is utterly stupid.
Ryan says
No I don’t think it is the right solution!
Dale says
I can’t think of a dumber thing to do! I can just see it in winter. Major mistake, will have to be tore back out. BIG waste of money.
Pete Reynolds says
There is not a single roundabout on Highway 93 in the Bitterroot! There ARE several traffic lights that are very effective, cost the taxpayers MUCH less to implement and can be installed with almost no inconvenience to motorists. WHY do governmental agencies ALWAYS choose the most obnoxious, expensive solutions to a simple problem???
Kathleen O’Leary says
Traffic light NOT roundabout!! A roundabout on 93 is a terrible idea!!
Brett says
Roundabouts are the worst!! I agree 100% with Sonja. Roundabouts are horrible for trucks with trailers which mean they don’t belong in Montana.
James says
I’m PRETTY sure none of us want this. This is America howabout some “on ramps”. We made tunnels under the highway for deer why not for cars? Instead of slowing the whole direction (both ways) of traffic down to play NASCAR for a minute. Just dumb
Sonja Kearney says
This is a horrible idea. No one who lives in Victor wants this. If you must do something, put in a stop light with motion sensors for Bell.
Clark P Lee says
yeah!
Lance E Broshar says
I hate roundabouts.
Beth says
How can we fight this?
What crashes? Near misses?? I drive this daily and do not have issues. The deer and elk along this stretch are more dangerous than traffic crossing or turning on to the highway. I am pretty confident the wildlife will not use the roundabout correctly.
Denver Keen says
This is the most ridiculous proposal. What a way to snarl traffic on a major highway! Especially one that handles semi’s. A gross failure of planning.
Let’s be realistic. There are several stoplights on 93. That would be the optimal way to go. A simple light, and much, much more cost effective and a lot less headache for everyone.
I don’t know who’s idea this was, but a
Scott Batson says
People using the road make mistakes (like speeding, running stop signs and red lights, turning left in front of oncoming traffic), always have and always will. Crashes will always be with us, but they need not result in fatalities or serious injury.
Modern roundabouts are the safest form of intersection in the world – the intersection type with the lowest risk of fatal or serious injury crashes – (much more so than comparable signals). Modern roundabouts require a change in speed and alter the geometry of one of the most dangerous parts of the system – intersections. The reduction in speed to about 20 mph and sideswipe geometry mean that, when a crash does happen at a modern roundabout, you might need a tow truck, but rarely an ambulance. Visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or FHWA for modern roundabout FAQs and safety facts.
The FHWA has been saying for over 20 years that signal intersections have TEN TIMES the fatality risk of modern roundabouts.
Mike Miller says
The logic and facts of traffic circles don’t seem wanted around these parts.
Sonja Kearney says
Took the time to check out the Website as Scott recommended. Here’s my snippet from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
“An intersection with highly unbalanced traffic flows (that is, a very high traffic volume on the main street and very light traffic on the side street) may not be an ideal candidate for a roundabout. The same is true for isolated intersections in a network of traffic signals.”
Also, motorcycle crashes, fixed object crashes, and crashes involving impaired drivers are “overrepresented”. Translation – Increase. We have a significant motorcycle population in the valley.
Both of these should be considered as well.
Rusty says
Do not waste tax payers money on this stupid idea.
Sherry says
Explain how this will improve traffic flow.