by Judy and Jim Martin, Victor
The Montana Department of Transportation should be ashamed of themselves, for brainwashing the residents of the Bitterroot Valley. Proposing a ‘Roundabout’ on Highway 93 and Bell Crossing. We can only assume those that have made the decision to do this are city dwellers and with the intention of trying a “trendy roundabout” on a U.S. highway. With a 70 MPH speed limit – just for the sake of experiment. We must remind them we ARE NOT A SIDE STREET IN MISSOULA.
This is a four-lane highway with 18-wheelers, with many pulling ‘pups’ bringing supplies in and out for the valley and Idaho – 24 hours/7 days a week. Have any of the MDT promoters asked the drivers of those big rigs how they will slow down and navigate through a roundabout and meet a screaming ambulance or a fire truck racing to a fire, let alone a deputy racing to an accident up or down the valley? What then, MDT ? Where is your common sense when the TRUE ANSWER IS A 4-WAY STOP LIGHT.
These meetings are set up to push this through as it feels like they have no intention of changing. These meetings are set up at the Stevensville High School Library.
Next meeting is August 14, 12:00 – 6:00 pm. And again August 28, 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Those drivers of 18-wheelers and beyond are urged to attend. And advise those behind the desk how difficult it is to navigate around the ‘roundabout’.
Helen Sabin says
Judy and Jim – Thanks for your common sense and obvious information and ideas about the nonsensical roundabout proposed for the valley. Please send your letter to Greg Gianforte and ask him to STOP this MDT actions and say NO to the roundabout. IT is going to cost 8.5 MILLION dollars to install and that doesn’t include taking land from people who have businesses and homes there on Bell Crossing and Hwy 93. It doesn’t include the damage that can be done to the roundabout by drivers who can’t maneuver in it or a driver misunderstanding on how to drive through the thing and he rear-ends someone. OR teen agers who will race around them thinking that is a fun thing to do like I saw done in another state. A 4 way stop light is 1.5 million or so. Write the governor and say NO! Tell his department NO to the roundabout. Ask him to act NOW! The next meeting of the MDT is August 30 at Stevensville MT high school library. Show up and say NO!