Project Overview

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and partner Knife River will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Rimrock Road and 62nd Street West in Billings. MDT identified a crash cluster at the three intersections currently formed by Rimrock Road and 62nd Street West. Building a roundabout will eliminate two intersections, enhance safety features, and reduce high-severity crash incidents. This project also includes abandoning the existing Molt Road curve between Rimrock Road and 62nd Street West.

The proposed roundabout will be elevated to provide proper drainage and increased visibility. It will have 12-foot driving lanes, raised medians, and paved and curbed shoulders; the new intersection will also be widened and flattened to remove abrupt grade changes. The project will also include new roadway markings, overhead LED lights, and culverts for improved drainage.

Timeline

MDT and Knife River are underway on the Rimrock and 62nd project as of April 2024. We anticipate finishing the project this year, as conditions allow.

Impacts on the Public

The intersection of Rimrock Road and 62nd Street West will be closed during construction. Suggested detours around the closure will be marked and signed and are visible on the project map above. Residents of adjacent neighborhoods are encouraged to use 70th Street West, Grand Avenue, and 58th Street West to detour around the closure. The Molt Road Curve will remain open during roundabout construction.

Once the roundabout is finished and opened to traffic, the Molt Road Curve will be closed for removal. While Molt Road is under construction, expect reduced speeds, crews and equipment in the project area, and flaggers and signal lights directing traffic.

Why a Roundabout?

MDT identified 14 crashes between 2005 and 2015 that could have been addressed by installing a roundabout. Adding a roundabout means the total number of points where two vehicles could clash will be reduced from 50 to just eight, with speeds at the intersection at 25 mph or less.

The roundabout’s circular design and one-directional traffic flow work to eliminate the deadliest T-bone and head-on style crashes. Roundabouts also reduce rear-end crashes because traffic must slow down to enter. Slower speeds and one-directional traffic flow mean fewer crossing conflicts. Vehicles and pedestrians also have more time to react to one another.

Project History

This project was developed in two phases. Phase I assessed the need, feasibility, and fundability for conceptual intersection improvements with the implementation of a roundabout. Phase II completed the detailed design and secured the right-of-way to construct the project. Sanderson Stewart was the design contractor for this project.

Two public meetings were held during the design phases of this project, one in 2019 and one in 2021. To view the materials from each public meeting, visit the Public Involvement page.

UPN 9383000