The Montana Department of Transportation and Riverside Contracting Inc. are resuming construction on Interstate 15 near Wolf Creek on June 11, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting.

This year crews will apply a seal and cover (chip seal) and final pavement markings to about eight miles of roadway in the Wolf Creek Canyon.

Since construction began in 2023, crews have removed and replaced approximately two feet of degraded roadway material on the north and southbound lanes of I-15 in the canyon.

I-15 Wolf Creek construction paused for winter [2024]

Other improvements included adding roadside markers, replacing right-of-way fencing and cattle guards, lining and repairing I-15 culverts, improving erosion control features, upgrading storm drainage and curb ramps in Wolf Creek, and upgrading concrete barrier rails, metal guardrail, and signage, according to MDT.

“We anticipate significantly less work in 2025 than in the past two years,” Matt Tackitt, MDT Great Falls District engineering project manager, said in a release. “The work in 2025 is anticipated to take several weeks to complete and then construction on this project will be complete.”

When construction begins, motorists can expect reduced speed limits, moving work zones, single-lane traffic through the work zone, and wide-loads may be restricted at times.

The purpose of the project is to improve the driving surface and enhance roadway safety features on this eight-mile stretch of I-15. The extreme climate and numerous freeze/thaw cycles in Wolf Creek Canyon caused the roadway material to degrade to the point where routine maintenance was no longer practical.

More information about the planned improvements and construction activities can be found here.

For current traffic conditions and up-to-date restrictions visit 511mt.net.

To sign up to receive email notifications about construction activities, email Brandon Coates at Brandon@rbci.net. To receive text notifications, text WCNS to 866-434-0866 (toll-free). Questions and comments can be directed to Coates at Brandon@rbci.net or by phone at 406-333-7215.

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