Project Overview

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will begin a four-phase road safety improvement project by installing high-tension cable rail along sections of Interstate 90 (I 90) in the Missoula, Butte, and Bozeman areas and Interstate 15 (I 15) in the Butte and Helena areas. From start to finish, the Median High-Tension Cable Rail project will add high-tension cable guardrail across 150 miles of Montana’s roadways.

Built with safety in mind, the High-Tension Median Cable Rail project will provide a flexible barrier of steel cable mounted on steel posts in the center median. The high-tension cable rail reduces crash impact and redirects vehicles from crossing into opposing traffic.

Construction on the Butte area phase is underway and will continue in 2024.

The Bozeman and Butte area phases were awarded to Coral Construction Company. Construction of the Bozeman area phase, spanning 40 miles of Interstate 90 (I 90) from Three Forks to the Bear Canyon Exit, is complete.

Construction on the Butte area phase began in October on Interstate 15 (I 15) and I 90. The I 15 project area begins at the Buxton Interchange (mile marker 116) and extends north for 18 miles, ending on Butte Hill (mile marker 134). The I 90 project area begins at the Anaconda Interchange (mile marker 219), extending east for 14 miles to the base of Homestake Pass (mile marker 230), ending two miles east of the Montana Highway 375 (MT 375) and Continental Drive Exit.

Work has paused for the 2023 construction season and will resume in the spring. The Butte area phase of this project is expected to be completed in 2024. This schedule is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as weather and project material availability.

Poteet Construction was awarded the Missoula phase of the project, which will install median high-tension cable rail on 48 miles of I 90, spanning from west of Missoula near Wye east to exit 144 at Bearmouth, and three miles at the westbound Quartz Flats Rest Area. The Missoula phase is anticipated to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2025. A start date for construction of phase four, I 15 near Helena, has yet to be determined.

Weekly updates will be available during construction. To subscribe for email updates or if you have questions, contact Sloane Stinson or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also sign up for text updates* by texting the following to 41411:
   MCRBUTTE for Butte area updates
   MCRMISSOULA for Missoula area updates

UPN 9796000, 9797000 & 9839000.