June 16, 2025

Work continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424) as crews steadily move west along the corridor. Drivers should continue to allow extra time for travel through the area.

This Week’s Activity:

  • Crews will continue the installation of approach culverts, weather and other factors permitting.
  • Pulverizing is expected to be complete on the west end of the job by midweek. The last remaining segment of the old road (Farnum Road heading east to Harlem) is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks.
  • Gravel operations may begin later this week to continue building the new road base. Grading crews are currently west of Farnum Road, with gravel placement expected to follow.

Traffic Impacts:

  • Traffic control remains in place with pilot cars directing vehicles around active work zones.
  • One pilot zone will be located near the culvert installation area.
  • Additional pilot zones may be added for gravel operations, including one near grading activity on the far west end near 8 Mile Road and another for gravel placement west of Farnum Road.
  • Pulverized surfaces and traffic millings remain in place throughout much of the corridor, with posted speed limits of:
  • 35 mph in active construction zones
  • 45 mph in inactive areas
  • Expect pilot car wait times up to 15 minutes, with total travel time through the project area extended by approximately 30 minutes.

Please drive with caution and be alert for changing conditions, especially during rainy weather.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we continue improving this important stretch of highway.

June 9, 2025

Work continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424) as crews steadily move west along the corridor.

Drivers should allow extra time for travel through the area.

This week, crews continue subgrade preparation, including placing gravel and building the road base in soft or unstable areas. Crews are working on culvert installation along roadway approaches. Most culvert work is expected to wrap up in the next week.

Trucking activity remains high, with over a dozen gravel loads running down Hogeland Road to the project area each day. Drive carefully and watch for heavy vehicle traffic and large gravel trucks.

Two pilot car zones are possible this week, each approximately 2 miles long and shifting west. Follow all posted signage and watch out for signal lights and pilot cars directing traffic.

Drivers should also expect:

  • Gravel and milled pavement surfaces with no centerline throughout the work zone
  • Speed limits of 35 mph in active work zones and 45 mph in non-active zones
  • Pilot car wait times of up to 15 minutes, with total travel time through the project area extended by about 30 minutes

Thank you for planning ahead, driving cautiously, and helping keep the project zone safe for workers and all roadway users. Your patience supports long-term improvements to this key stretch of highway.

June 2, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers should expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone.

This week, crews will build up the road’s new base, continue pulverizing existing pavement, and install culverts at roadway approaches. Most mainline culvert work is now complete.

Initial surfacing work is anticipated to begin in mid-June, marking a major milestone in the project, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting. Paving is expected for this fall.

Gravel hauling and trucking activity remains high. Please watch for trucks and heavy equipment, especially near the gravel stockpile area around Farnum Road.

One active work zone remains in place, approximately 2 miles long, and continues shifting west every few days. Traffic is guided by pilot cars and signal lights with message boards. Delays of up to 15 minutes remain likely Monday through Thursday.

What to expect:

  • Pilot car zone: About 2 miles long, shifting west from Farnum Road toward Pauly Road
  • Surfaces: Gravel and milled pavement throughout the work zone
  • Speed limits:
    • 35 mph in active work areas
    • 45 mph outside of active zones
  • No centerline throughout the construction area
  • 15-minute delays Monday through Thursday

As always, please drive carefully, follow all posted signage and pilot car instructions, and watch for crews and equipment in the area. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve this stretch of US 2.

May 27, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers should expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone.

This week, crews will continue pulverizing the roadway and installing mainline culverts. The active traffic control zone will shift slightly west, beginning between Farnum Road and Dead River Road and ending between Dead River Road and Pauly Road.

Gravel hauling and trucking activity remains high. Please watch for trucks and heavy equipment, especially near the gravel stockpile area around Farnum Road.

One active work zone remains in place, approximately 2 miles long, and continues shifting west every few days. Traffic is guided by pilot cars and flaggers. Delays of up to 15 minutes remain likely Monday through Thursday.

What to expect:

  • Pilot car zone: About 2 miles long, shifting west from Farnum Road toward Pauly Road
  • Surfaces: Gravel and milled pavement throughout the work zone
  • Speed limits:
    • 35 mph in active work areas
    • 45 mph outside of active zones
  • No centerline throughout the construction area
  • 15-minute delays Monday through Thursday

As always, please drive carefully, follow all posted signage and pilot car instructions, and watch for crews and equipment in the area. We appreciate your caution and cooperation as we work to improve this stretch of US 2.

Excavator placing culvert sections and moving soil off the side of a highway, with construction crews and equipment staged near the work zone.
Large pulverizing machine breaking up pavement on a rural highway, with cars following behind a pilot car under a blue sky with clouds.
View of a rural highway with freshly pulverized and compacted road surface under cloudy skies, with fields and utility poles lining both sides.

May 19, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers should continue to expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone.

This week, crews will continue pulverizing the roadway. Grading and culvert installation continue alongside pulverizing operations, heading west through the corridor.

Gravel hauling and trucking activity has increased—please watch for trucks and heavy equipment, especially near the gravel stockpile area around Farnum Road.

There is still one active work zone, about 2 miles long, that shifts west every couple of days. Traffic is being guided by pilot cars and flaggers, and delays of up to 15 minutes remain likely, Monday through Thursday.

What to expect:

  • Pilot car zone: ~2 miles long, shifting westward from near Farnum Road toward Pauly Road
  • Surfaces: Gravel and milled pavement throughout the zone
  • Speed limits:
  • 35 mph in active work areas
  • 45 mph outside of active zones
  • No centerline throughout the construction area
  • 15-minute delays Monday through Thursday

Please drive slowly, follow signage and pilot car instructions, and stay alert for workers and equipment.

Thank you for your continued patience as we improve this section of US 2.

May 12, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers should continue to expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone.

This week, crews are pulverizing the roadway starting near Farnum Road. Culvert crews are working ahead of the pulverizer, moving west, and are included in the active pilot car zone. Traffic is being guided by pilot cars and flaggers, with reduced speed limits.

Stockpiling of gravel is also occurring near the Farnum Road area. Please be alert for large equipment entering and exiting the gravel pit.

Additional grading and graveling operations are underway between Dead River Road and Farnum Road, moving west from Dead River Road toward Madras Road.

Here’s what to expect this week:

  • Pilot car zone about 2 miles long, starting near Farnum Road and ending near Pauly Road, continuing to shift west as work progresses
  • Speed limits: 35 mph in active work zones (east end), 45 mph where no active work is occurring (west end)
  • No centerline through the project area
  • Surfaces consist of gravel and milled pavement
  • Delays of up to 15 minutes, Monday through Thursday

Please drive slowly, watch for workers and equipment, and follow all posted signage and pilot car instructions.

Thank you for your continued patience as we improve this section of US 2.

May 5, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers should continue to expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone. Crews are currently focused on grading and culvert work, with multiple active traffic control zones in place.

Here’s what to expect this week:

  • Speed limit reduced to 35 mph
  • Delays of up to 15 minutes during weekdays (Monday through Thursday)
  • Only one active pilot car zone throughout the project area
  • Culvert crews working near Farnum Road, east end of the project
  • No centerline through the project area
  • Surfaces consist of gravel and milled pavement

Pulverizing of the roadway is expected to begin next week.

Please continue to slow down, watch for workers, and follow all traffic control. Thank you for your continued patience as we improve this section of US 2.

April 28, 2025

Construction continues on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem (mile markers 416.5 to 424). Drivers can expect reduced speeds, delays, and changing traffic conditions throughout the work zone. Crews are working on finishing culvert installation and pulverizing the roadway to prepare for resurfacing.

Here’s what to expect:

  • Speed limit reduced to 35 mph
  • Delays up to 15 minutes during weekdays
  • Pilot cars and signal lights guiding traffic
  • Flaggers present during active work hours
  • No centerline is present through the project area
  • Surfaces consist of pulverized gravel and milled pavement
  • Work is taking place during daylight hours, Monday through Friday

Crews are working on multiple areas throughout the project to improve the roadway. Please slow down, watch for workers, and follow signs and cones to stay safe.

April 21, 2025

Construction work is underway on the East of Zurich to Harlem project.

The first 6 miles of roadway have been milled, and crews are grading the surface. Crews also pulverized the remaining culvert crossings. Minor detours will be in place as crews complete work on the other half of the culverts started last year and begin pulverizing the remaining roadway. Grading operations will take place on the east end, with culvert work located in the middle of the project area.

Travelers can expect:

  • Reduced speeds of 35 mph throughout the work zone
  • Single-lane traffic guided by signal lights and pilot cars, with delays of up to 15 minutes

All work is weather-dependent and may be delayed by rain or snow. Please slow down, watch for signs and crews, and allow extra time when traveling through the area. Thank you for your patience as we improve the roadway!

National Work Zone Awareness Week
April 21-25, 2025 | nwzaw.org

Respect the zone, so we all get home.

In 2023, 282 work zone crashes occurred in Montana. This construction season, MDT urges Montana drivers and visitors to use extra caution while traveling through work zones by paying attention and following posted signage.

Our families thank you.

November 20, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Wickens Construction are wrapping up work on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem for the winter.

This fall, crews graded the roadway shoulders and slopes and completed partial culvert placements, preparing the project area for construction to begin next spring.

MDT will announce a start date for 2025 construction and details on anticipated impacts closer to spring.

October 14, 2024

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its contractor, Wickens Construction, are continuing work on US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem.

This week, travel is restricted to one lane controlled by pilot cars between Trails End Road and Madras Road while crews grade the shoulders and proceed with culvert work. Motorists should also expect reduced speeds and workers on the roadway.

All work is dependent upon weather and other unforeseen factors. MDT will announce a start date for 2025 construction and details on anticipated impacts closer to spring.