Open House

An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Choteau/Teton Public Library 17 North Main Avenue, Choteau, Montana 59422.

Choteau US 89 project logo

Your input is valued! Public feedback will help shape the project design to address needs and concerns of the people who use this U.S. 89 stretch regularly.

We heard you! Here's what you told us at the open house held on Sep. 29, 2021:

Public Comment MDT Response
The City of Choteau Public Works would like the asphalt millings. We need vast quantities for our streets. Please write contracts so the millings will be available to the City of Choteau. Millings are not expected on any of the three projects at this time (Choteau-North, -South, and Freezeout Lake).
No scenic pullout at Miller Lane and Priest Butte Road. These are being removed from the design. A highway enforcement pullout is being added, but about a mile south of this area.
Fill in the rumble strips east of the Teton Bridge. We understand how these can cause the nearby residents some loud noise when drivers go over them. We will be installing a new type of rumble strip that is much quieter but still as effective for drivers. This new type is called sinusoidal.
There is a blind pullout near the project station 410+34. This pullout is being removed from the project.
Consider wildlife crossing measures such as high fencing and an underground wildlife passage. Some wildlife measures would be helpful between Priest Butte Road and the Teton River bridge. We do not have additional fencing, underground wildlife passages, or other additional measures in that area between Priest Butte Road and the Teton River bridge. There has already been a wildlife and crash analysis performed in this area. The final recommendation from this analysis is not yet complete but we don't anticipate any additional crossing or fencing features.
Drivers are leaving town too fast, heading south. Please consider a speed check of some sort around project station 580+00.
Lower the speed limit north of town to 55 mph until Teton Canyon Rd. Also make it no passing because there are too many driveways in this area.
There is a state law and mandated process on how speed limits are changed. They first must be initiated by the local county. If the county approves, they send the request to the State to conduct the speed study. If you need assistance with how to contact Teton County to request a speed study, contact our Public Information Officer on this project, Laura Langdon Laura.Langdon@kljeng.com or call 406-594-4795.
Passing or no passing lanes are dictated by Traffic Engineers. Areas of no passing are finalized just after the road is constructed but before the lanes are painted.
Glad to hear sight distance will be improved with a new bridge. The sight distance is an important safety factor, and we will make sure it meets the current design standards.
A pullout is not wanted near milepost 39. This pullout is being relocated further southeast.
Signage requests:
Large signs prior to Freezout Lake tourist area only reading “Use Pullouts”
Another sign prior to pullouts “Pullout ¼ mile ahead” for every pullout area.
Final sign right at the pullout indicating its exact location.
We will need to coordinate with the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks on this matter.
In the tourist area around Freezout Lake:
Larger pullouts needed. Rather see them wider, as opposed to longer. We aren't certain if you were referring to the existing pullouts or the ones you saw on the plans at the open house. The new pullouts will be for highway enforcement and their size is based on how much room is needed to pull over large commercial trucks during an enforcement stop.
Walking path connecting pullouts. Could incorporate a fitness loop. This would need to be requested by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Currently, it is not in the scope of the project.
Education kiosks or signs This would need to be requested by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Currently, it is not in the scope of the project.
Pit toilet and signage showing where they are. This is outside the scope of the project.
Alternative routes or side loops that cars can take. This would need to be requested by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Currently, it is not in the scope of the project.

The City of Choteau Public Works would like the asphalt millings. We need vast quantities for our streets. Please write contracts so the millings will be available to the City of Choteau.

No scenic pullout at Miller Lane and Priest Butte Road.

Fill in the rumble strips east of the Teton Bridge.

There is a blind pullout near the project station 410+34.

Consider wildlife crossing measures such as high fencing and an underground wildlife passage. Some wildlife measures would be helpful between Priest Butte Road and the Teton River bridge.

Drivers are leaving town too fast, heading south. Please consider a speed check of some sort around project station 580+00.

Lower the speed limit north of town to 55 mph until Teton Canyon Rd. Also make it no passing because there are too many driveways in this area.

Glad to hear sight distance will be improved with a new bridge.

A pullout is not wanted near milepost 39.

Signage requests:

  1. Large signs prior to Freezout Lake tourist area only reading "Use Pullouts"
  2. Another sign prior to pullouts "Pullout ¼ mile ahead" for every pullout area.
  3. Final sign right at the pullout indicating its exact location.

In the tourist area around Freezout Lake:

  • Larger pullouts needed. Rather see them wider, as opposed to longer.
  • Walking path connecting pullouts. Could incorporate a fitness loop.
  • Education kiosks or signs.
  • Pit toilet and signage showing where they are.
  • Alternative routes or side loops that cars can take.
Entrance to our open house at the Choteau/Teton Public Library.

Entrance to our open house at the Choteau/Teton Public Library.

MDT Engineer, James Combs, using the project map to answer questions.

MDT Engineer, James Combs, using the project map to answer questions.

MDT Engineer, Brandon Olds, discussing the project with residents around the display boards.

MDT Engineer, Brandon Olds, discussing the project with residents around the display boards.

Great Falls District Administrator, Jim Wingerter, joined us at the open house and answered questions.

Great Falls District Administrator, Jim Wingerter, joined us at the open house and answered questions.

MDT Engineers and residents used the engineering plans to discuss their concerns with the animated fly-through video in the background.

MDT Engineers and residents used the engineering plans to discuss their concerns with the animated fly-through video in the background.

Open House #2 – Wednesday September 29, 2021, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) hosted an open house at the Choteau Library on Wednesday September 29, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM to share project information, answer questions and gather feedback. People were welcomed to come to the Open House at any time between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to receive information and discuss the Choteau North, Choteau South, and Freezeout Lake projects. If you have any questions about the open house, please contact Laura Langdon, Project Information Officer.

Open House #1 – Monday, June 24, 2019

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) hosted an open house at the Choteau Library on Monday, June 24, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. to share project information, answer questions and gather feedback. Open house materials are linked below.

Project Fact Sheet
Rumble Strips Handout
Display Boards

We are still accepting comments! If you would like to submit a comment on the project, please use the comment tool linked below and indicate that comments are for project UPN 8965000.

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