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October 7, 2022

Schellinger Construction and the Montana Department of Transportation are nearing a close on the Stevensville Safety Improvements Project.

Seeding will take place this month on the sides of the roadway. Drivers will not be impacted. This will be the final project update.

Questions about the Stevensville Safety Improvements or other surrounding area MDT projects? Visit the Active Project web page.

Safety is Always in Session: Back-to-School Reminders for Motorists

Montana’s schools are back in session, which means many children are walking, bicycling, or riding a school bus to and from their destination. MDT would like to remind motorists to always be attentive and alert while driving, to share the road, and to obey all traffic laws as school days bring school buses and increased traffic during school start and end times. Make sure you understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing. Together, we can help keep our students safe on their journey! Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and school bus safety.

If you have questions about this week’s update, please email beccaXYZbigskypublicrelationsABCcom. You can also call our project hotline at 406-207-4484 with any comments.

Project Overview

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is beginning construction on the Stevensville Safety Improvement project on March 1, 2021, including tree removal and utility work along the Eastside Highway.

Construction will begin just north of the intersection of North Birch Creek Road and the Eastside Highway and will extend 5.9 miles north ending south of the Pine Hollow Road intersection. View the project map.

Project Status

Starting March 1, 2021, MDT will begin the first stage of construction on the Eastside Highway for the Stevensville Safety Improvements Project by removing trees and beginning utility work along the Eastside Highway. With crews and equipment working near the roadway, drivers are advised to be mindful of changing conditions and be alert for workers.

Later this spring, crews will construct shoulders on both sides of the highway and will flatten roadside slopes. Willoughby Lane will be realigned to better facilitate safe travel at the intersection, and a new flashing light will be placed at Bell Crossing. Sections of guardrail and bridge replacements will occur throughout the project area.

Upon completion, the roadway will also be sealed and have new pavement markings and signs.

Throughout the course of this project, weekly email updates will be sent. Those interested in signing up can email Amy at AmyXYZBigSkyPublicRelationsABCcom or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484.

Project Overview

Designed to save lives and prevent serious crashes, this project will enhance roadside safety along Highway 269 and the Eastside Highway The Stevensville Safety Improvements project will begin just north of the intersection of North Birch Creek Road and the Eastside Highway and will extend 5.9 miles north to the Pine Hollow Road intersection.

Click the image to view the PDF

South of Stevensville - Safety Improvements project map

The proposed work plan currently includes widening the existing roadway by adding four-foot shoulders on both sides of the highway and flattening the roadside slopes with sections of guardrail being constructed along the route. Additionally, a new flashing signal will be placed at Bell Crossing,and Willoughby Lane will be realigned to better facilitate safe travel at the intersection. Utility upgrades and bridge replacements will occur throughout the project. Upon completion, the roadway will be sealed and have new pavement markings and signs.

Public Involvement

It is MDT’s goal to ensure residents and travelers are fully updated on all aspects of the project, from design to construction schedules. Community input and engagement is central to projects such as this. We are listening and we care.

That’s why the Stevensville Safety Improvement project includes a public involvement firm, Big Sky Public Relations, whose primary role is to help connect residents, businesses, landowners and other potential stakeholders with the tools and resources to answer their questions.

If you have questions, want to provide feedback, hope to set up a meeting with someone on the project team, or want to chat over a cup of coffee, Big Sky Public Relations is your best contact.

MDT held meetings in 2018 and many landowners received a letter at that time. As the project team continues moving forward with planning, reviews, and construction, MDT’s hope is that the community knows this project as well as we do.