MDT releases results of open houses, sticks with roundabout plan

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) issued a thank you to those who attended the Bell Crossing Roundabout project open houses throughout July and August. Questions, comments, and concerns were heard, read, and strongly considered by MDT staff as a final design advances, according to the press release.

For those unable to attend, the project webpage at  https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/bellcrossing/ has been updated to include display boards from the open house events, as well as simulations of the intersection.

“We had about 200 attendees across all three Bell Crossing open house events,” stated Bob Vosen, Missoula District Administrator. “It means a great deal that folks took the time to voice their concerns and ask questions. We hope to continue to provide background information and updates to the public as the project progresses.”     

Throughout the course of the three events, MDT received a handful of similar questions and feedback from the public. 

MDT stated in the press release that it aims to provide transparency and answer questions as thoroughly as possible. “We understand some oppose a roundabout at Bell Crossing and have also heard comments from those in favor,” stated the press release. “A roundabout is the safest solution that solves the issue of T-bone and serious crashes occurring at this location, and keeps traffic flowing on US Highway 93 (US 93).”

Here is a compilation of the most commonly asked questions about the roundabout and MDT’s responses:

Q: Why didn’t I get a chance to vote on the selected design?

MDT seeks and considers public input on transportation projects, but voting is not part of the public involvement process. A crash trend was identified at the Bell Crossing intersection. MDT analyzed why crashes are occurring, crash severity, and solutions to best address these findings. When MDT had this information about the Bell Crossing intersection, we began providing the roundabout design as the best safety solution.

In some planning projects, where multiple safe solutions are possible, we can consider community preferences. For this location there is only one design solution that best addresses safety to avoid T-bone (right angle) crashes and serious injury crashes.

When MDT reviews an intersection to determine if an upgrade is necessary, a signal warrant analysis is conducted using nationally accepted criteria that considers traffic volumes and crash history. When the analysis was conducted for this intersection, multiple volume warrants (related to the number of vehicles using the intersection at certain times) were satisfied. Therefore, both the traffic signal and the roundabout alternatives were initially advanced for further consideration. However, from a safety standpoint, the history of several addressable high-speed, T-bone crashes makes the roundabout alternative superior.

A Restricted Crossing U-turn Intersection (RCUT) alternative was also considered (this type intersection does not allow left turns). The RCUT’s acceleration/merge features are not cost-effective at this location due to the large right-of-way acquisition required. Furthermore, the RCUT does not address the crash history that a roundabout does. Also, the individual approaches onto US 93, both north and south of the Bell Crossing intersection, present additional conflict points that result in diminished safety for high-speed merge lanes.

Best engineering practices show that the roundabout will handle the traffic volume and address the high-speed, high severity T-bone crashes that often involve injuries or, unfortunately, death. MDT’s responsibility is to choose the safest option when conducting a safety improvement project, even if it’s not popular.

Q: Emergency services use this route. Will a roundabout make it difficult for fire trucks and other large vehicles to safely travel through the corridor?

No. Roundabouts have been highly effective in other Montana communities similar to Victor in supporting Emergency Medical Services, large loads, and other oversized vehicles.

The roundabout will be designed for large trucks and first responders. Numerous observations have shown that well-designed roundabouts support trucking operations and add benefits unique to truck operators. This roundabout will be designed specifically for the types of trucks and large loads that will navigate it.

Operators often recognize the ease of entering a roundabout due to the one-way circulating traffic and no longer having to wait for a gap in two-way traffic (particularly in multilane facilities).

Q: How is this project being funded?

The project is funded primarily through federal National Highway and Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds allocated to Montana, supplemented with matching funds from the Highway State Special Revenue Account.

Q: Why are you spending money on something the community does not want?

We recognize that a roundabout at this intersection is not popular with everyone. Our number one priority at MDT is saving lives. Bell Crossing crash data indicates that this intersection needs a safety solution that eliminates T-bone crashes, which can involve serious Injuries and death. A roundabout is the safest solution for this intersection.

Q: Are my property taxes impacted by this project?

No. This project is funded by federal funds and state special revenue funds (see question above). This funding has no impact on property taxes.

Q: Why don’t you reduce speeds throughout the area?

MDT reviewed traffic speeds while assessing the Bell Crossing project, and we’ve heard time and time again that drivers ‘fly through’ this corridor. Posting signage and lowering the speed doesn’t change driving patterns. A physical change in the roadway is needed to force slower speeds. Safety is MDT’s top priority, and a roundabout is the best engineering solution to reduce speeds. As such, no proposed regulatory speed reduction is planned at this time.

A roundabout introduces a forced speed reduction as drivers must navigate it between 15 and 20 mph.

The Bell Crossing roundabout project will include other features to help slow US 93 speeds when approaching the intersection. In addition to warning signage on approach from every direction, there will be chicanes. This curved alignment with medians forces drivers to significantly slow down before entering.

In a signalized intersection, drivers have the ability to run a red light and through an intersection at full speed. This Is not possible with a roundabout.

Q: Are roundabouts more expensive than a signal?

While the construction of roundabouts does require more of an initial financial investment, they offer long-term cost savings compared to traditional signalized intersections. Roundabouts typically have lower maintenance costs due to the lack of signalization hardware and other components prone to wear and tear. Moreover, the safety benefits of roundabouts result in reduced healthcare costs associated with traffic crashes and fewer expenses related to vehicle damage and insurance claims.

Data shows the roundabout will manage projected traffic volumes through the year 2045. A signalized intersection will not, resulting in spending additional tax dollars in the future when the intersection does not function well.

Q: People will be confused because drivers don’t know how to use a roundabout. How do you navigate a two-lane roundabout?

MDT is working to increase education on driving roundabouts including having roundabouts included on drivers’ tests. We recognize this is new to some, and MDT is working to educate the community further. This type of intersection is becoming more common throughout Montana and the United States.

More information on how to drive a two-lane roundabout is below. A two-lane roundabout is very similar to a single-lane roundabout.

As you approach a two-lane roundabout, slow down.

Choose the lane you need to travel in based on the exit you need to take.

If you plan to turn right, use the right lane.

If you plan to travel straight, use either lane.

If you plan to turn left, use the left lane.

Then, look left and yield to drivers inside the roundabout. Never change lanes once inside the roundabout.

Turn your blinker on as you exit the roundabout.

Q: What is “Vision Zero” and how does it relate to this project?

This is a statewide initiative with the goal of zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana Roadways. There has been some confusion with Montana’s traffic safety Initiative and vision zero used in other forums. MDT’s Vision Zero initiative is not affiliated with the Vision Zero Network. Vision Zero Network staff are not associated with MDT in any capacity.

MDT’s Vision Zero focuses on:

Education through training programs and activities, public information, and traffic safety outreach campaigns,

Enforcement of Montana’s traffic laws and deterrence including changing driver’s understanding of law enforcement, prosecution and adjudication penalties, and the impact on victims and survivor families and friends.

Emergency medical response to support the essential role of emergency services in reducing severity of injury outcome and to ensure technologies and systems are adequately funded and equipped to respond to crashes.

Engineering of Montana’s roadways to ensure best practices are implemented and maintained with safety as the priority.

At Bell Crossing, a crash trend was identified that included fatal and serious injury crashes. Our goal through education, enforcement, emergency medical response, and engineering of the roadway is to prevent future occurrences.