The Montana Department of Transportation is developing the Central Montana Transportation Study to guide long-term transportation planning in response to anticipated impacts from planned development and military activities in the region.
The study focuses on infrastructure resiliency in the Great Falls and Lewistown areas, as well as MDT routes within nine counties: Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Pondera, Teton, Toole, and Wheatland.
MDT is hosting two open houses to provide an update on the study, share findings to date, and gather public feedback on preliminary recommendations.
Attendees will be able to review exhibits and speak with study representatives.
No formal presentation will be given, and both events will feature the same format and information. The public is invited to attend at their convenience.
Lewistown
May 14, 4-6 p.m., Civic Center, 309 5th Ave. S.
Great Falls
May 20, 4-6 p.m., Gibson Room upstairs at the Civic Center, 2 Park Drive S.
Starting on May 7, MDT is also hosting an online open house, which will include a summary of the same information provided at the in-person events. To participate in the online open house, visit the MDT website.
Public comments may be submitted at the open houses, online at mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or by contacting Jackson Lang at 406-444-3246 or jlang@mt.gov. Reference the Central Montana Transportation Study in your comments.
Any person with a disability needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in this activity or an alternative accessible format of this notice should contact MDT’s ADA Coordinator Matt Maze at mmaze@mt.gov, 406-444-5416, or Montana Relay Service at 711. Requests for an accommodation to participate should be made by May 12. MDT will attempt to honor requests made after this date.
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The Montana Department of Transportation, with partners Montana Materials and Construction and KLJ Engineering, have started construction on sidewalks and pedestrian facilities in Great Falls.
Improvements include replacing non-compliant Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, sidewalk ramps, constructing new sidewalks, replacing sidewalks in poor condition, and adding/replacing pedestrian signals and push buttons.
These improvements will meet current ADA standards and improve safety and connectivity for non-motorized users, according to MDT.
Construction is underway on sidewalk ramps along 14th Street at 8th Avenue North and will continue to 9th Avenue South.
Additional improvements will take place in the city’s northwest area during the summer school break.
Later this summer, work on 15th Street from 9th Avenue South to 8th Avenue North is anticipated.
Next spring and summer, work on 1st Avenue North and 2nd Avenue North is anticipated to be done.
Traffic will be maintained through the project, but temporary parking restrictions may be in place in the work area.
Motorists are encouraged to watch for signage, follow posted speed limits in work zones, and plan for additional time when traveling through the area.
To receive project updates via text, text SIDEWALKS to 844-764-2126*, email greatfalls@kljeng.com or call Jamie Olson at 701-355-8466.
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The Montana Department of Transportation and Jeffery Contracting Inc. have completed construction on crossovers on Interstate 15 north of the Sieben interchange at Exit 216.
Traffic is now crossed over with both north and southbound traffic traveling on the southbound side of the interstate.
Traffic is expected to remain in this configuration for a majority of the summer, returning to normal configuration in the fall.
Motorists traveling through the work zone should expect one lane open in each direction with north and southbound traffic travelling on the same side of I-15 at reduced speeds, according to MDT.
Motorists attempting to travel through the project area between 4 and 6 a.m. may encounter brief interstate closures if wide-load escorts are needed.
A 12-foot width restriction is in place on this project, and any loads wider than 12 feet need to be staged and escorted, according to MDT. To avoid delays, travel through the corridor prior to or after this timeframe.
In 2026, crews will be removing and replacing more than a foot of degraded roadway material on the northbound lanes of I-15. Resurfacing the southbound lanes is expected to take place in 2027.
Other planned improvements include adding concrete barrier delineation (high-visibility reflective strips) on inside curves, replacing right-of-way fencing and cattle guards as needed, resurfacing the Spring Creek Interchange (Exit 219) ramps, adding new pavement markings, applying a seal and cover (chip seal), and upgrading concrete barrier rails, metal guardrail, and signage.
MDT is rerouting drainage through a new storm drainpipe on the eastern side of Spring Creek Interchange.
The purpose of this project is to extend the service life of the roadway, improve the ride of the existing pavement, and enhance safety features. The project will also reduce issues that require regular and costly maintenance along this section of interstate, according to MDT.
Visit 511mt.net for the most up-to-date information about oversized load restrictions and road conditions across Montana.
For more information about this project, visit the project website at mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/i15sieben. For questions or to sign up for email updates, contact Tyler at Tyler@rbci.net or call 406-333-7215.
To sign up for text message updates, text SIEBEN to 866-434-0866 (toll free).
