July 19, 2024
Thank you for your patience and understanding as design work continues on the Belgrade Urban: Jackrabbit, Madison to Main project. A progress update is below.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has contracted with Morrison-Maierle to design the Belgrade Urban project. The project team has completed the first initial phase of design work. MDT is also in communication with BNSF Railway (formerly Montana Rail Link) regarding design elements and project impacts.
The City of Belgrade, in partnership with MDT, has applied for and been awarded the 2024 Federal RAISE [transportation.gov] (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability) Grant to support funding for the Belgrade Urban project. This grant will fund a portion of the anticipated work, approximately $25 million. MDT or local sources will fund the remainder of the cost.
Design work is in progress and will continue through 2028. Right-of-way activities will begin in late 2025 or early 2026. A contracting team will be selected in 2028, and construction is anticipated in 2029, unforeseen circumstances permitting. The Belgrade Urban team will communicate with stakeholders and officials to outline anticipated construction and surrounding land impacts in the coming months as the design progresses.
Project Overview:
Belgrade residents have seen their community grow in many ways within the past few years. Coupled with development throughout the Gallatin Valley, several outstanding infrastructure needs must be met. To provide long-term solutions to meet these needs, MDT plans to widen a half-mile stretch of the highly-trafficked Jackrabbit Lane and construct a railroad underpass by Main Street as part of the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project.
Currently, this area has limited capacity roadways, no sidewalks, and congestion that increases during times of train travel. This baseline is not appropriately serving the community’s needs. It has not kept pace with the community's growth and cannot accommodate Belgrade’s projected development.
The Belgrade Urban project will begin at the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane with Madison Avenue and extend to Main Street. Along this corridor, the existing three-lane road will be transformed into a five-lane facility, with two lanes of travel in each direction, in addition to a center turn lane. A railroad underpass will also be constructed to allow vehicles to travel under the railroad tracks on Jackrabbit Lane without stopping. New curbs and gutters will be installed, and sidewalks will be added, bringing this stretch of roadway into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Periodic updates will be provided via email, text and listed on this webpage as progress continues.
For regular project updates, email Becca at
We also offer text updates. Text BELGRADE to 41411. To sign up for text updates, text BELGRADE to 41411. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Text STOP to cancel. Texting alerts are not managed by MDT and may have different privacy and security policies. For more information, see: https://smstc.us/t41411/ [smstc.us]
May 19, 2023
Hello neighbors,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as preliminary design work continues on the Belgrade Urban project. A progress update is below.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has recently contracted with Morrison-Maierle to design the Belgrade Urban project, which is currently in the preliminary design phase. The schedule for the completion of the design is currently unknown, as collaboration with project partners is still in the early stages. Timelines are contingent upon factors such as funding availability, right-of-way negotiations and acquisitions, coordination with BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), utility relocations and the development of multiple Belgrade area projects.
Belgrade residents have seen their community grow in many ways within the past few years. Coupled with development throughout the Gallatin Valley, several outstanding infrastructure needs must be met. To provide long-term solutions to meet these needs, MDT plans to widen a half-mile stretch of the highly-trafficked Jackrabbit Lane and construct a railroad underpass by Main Street as part of the Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project.
Currently, this area has limited capacity roadways, no sidewalks, and congestion that increases during times of train travel. The current infrastructure has not kept pace with the community's growth and cannot accommodate Belgrade’s projected development.
The Belgrade Urban project will begin at the intersection of Jackrabbit Lane with Madison Avenue and extend to Main Street. Along this corridor, the existing three-lane road will be transformed into a five-lane facility, with two lanes of travel in each direction, in addition to a center turn lane. A railroad underpass will also be constructed to allow vehicles to travel under the railroad tracks on Jackrabbit Lane without stopping. New curbs and gutters will be installed, and sidewalks will be added, bringing this stretch of roadway into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Periodic updates will be provided via email, text and listed on the project webpage as progress continues.
For regular project updates, email me at
We also offer text updates. Text BELGRADE to 41411. To sign up for text updates, text BELGRADE to 41411. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Text STOP to cancel. Texting alerts are not managed by MDT and may have different privacy and security policies. For more information, see: https://smstc.us/t41411/ [smstc.us]
July 2022
The Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project continues to move forward.
The project team has completed preliminary field work, including geotechnical studies. The next steps include preparing an analysis of alternatives for the project area. This analysis will determine whether the Montana Department of Transportation will build a railroad overpass or underpass to connect to the surrounding roadways.
The project team is committed to moving this effort towards a final design as swiftly as possible.
Our team will be in touch with more updates as these milestones are reached. In the meantime, if you have comments or questions, please feel free to reach out. You can call 406-207-4484 or email Becca at
The public is encouraged to reach out with thoughts and questions at any time by calling 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by emailing
April 2022
The Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project development continues. Residents may notice workers in the project area over the next few weeks. These workers are conducting geotechnical work, including drilling into the ground to collect samples to identify the composition of the ground beneath and nearby the road. Engineers use this knowledge when designing the new infrastructure. For example, they may determine the need to remove soft soil and replace it with better material during construction.
Short-term lane closures may be required for this work. Please be mindful of workers and changing lane patterns, and reduce speeds as necessary.
Engineers will soon decide whether the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) should build a railroad overpass or underpass. They will then start looking at different alternatives for this structure and how it will connect to the adjacent road facilities in the project limits.
Our team will be in touch with more updates as these milestones are reached. In the meantime, if you have comments or questions, please feel free to reach out. You can call 406-207-4484 or email Becca at
The public is encouraged to reach out with thoughts and questions at any time by calling 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by emailing