The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducted a corridor planning study between Glendive and Fairview on MT Highway 16 (MT 16) and MT Highway 200 (MT 200) in Dawson and Richland Counties. The study considered traffic and safety concerns caused by increasing truck volumes associated with growth in the oil industry in the Bakken region in northeastern Montana and northwestern North Dakota.

Final Study Documents

MT 16 / MT 200 Fairview to Glendive Corridor Study Report

Appendices

Appendix A: Public and Agency Participation Materials
Appendix B: Existing and Projected Conditions Report
Appendix C: Environmental Scan Report
Appendix D: Improvement Options

This study focuses on the portion of MT 16 beginning at approximate Reference Post (RP) 0.6 just north of the I-94 Interchange in Glendive and extend northeasterly to the intersection of County Road 123 (RP 50.4) south of Sidney. The study resumes at Sidney's northern city limit boundary (RP 52.6) north of the MT 200 intersection with Holly Street, and extends northeast on MT 200 to the Fairview city limits RP (62.5). The study excludes areas within the city limits of Glendive, Sidney, and Fairview. (study area map)

Within the study area, MT 16 and MT 200 are rural two-lane highways with varying shoulder widths. Truck volumes in the corridor are reflective of the economic activity in the region. As a percentage of total traffic volumes, the corridor has some of the highest volumes of commercial trucks in the state, with high growth observed in recent years.

The MT 16 / MT 200 Glendive to Fairview Corridor Planning Study examined the physical, geometric, safety, and operational conditions of MT 16 / MT 200 segments, as well as physical constraints, land uses, and environmental resources within the corridor. The planning effort recommends short-, mid- and long-term improvement options to address corridor issues and concerns. These recommendations will assist MDT in identifying potential projects based on needs, objectives, and funding availability.

Transportation issues assessed within the corridor included but were not limited to:

  • Geometric Characteristics
  • Access Points
  • Pavement Condition
  • Crash Trends
  • Traffic Volumes and Operational Characteristics