MDT releases Highway 35 comments online

By Jennifer McBride / Leader Staff

The Montana Department of Transportation released 50 pages of written public comments submitted to the department as it considers whether it should restrict truck traffic on Highway 35. MDT Director Jim Lynch released letters, emails and comments submitted through the department's website on the MDT website Friday. Concerned citizens can still submit opinions by phone, email, snail mail and through the website until July 7. In the wake of a fuel accident that spilled 6,380 gallons of gasoline beside Flathead Lake last April, Lynch has been considering changing the current restrictions on Highway 35. The powerpoint presentation he gave at two public meetings is also available online at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/hwy35

Charity Watt Levis, public information officer at the MDT, said the department has received more than 300 written and spoken comments, including those taken down at the meeting.

"Any time we have a topic like this we're glad to see people take the time to say what's on their mind because that helps us make the best decisions for the community," she explained.

Since public comments are still being accepted, Levis said the department won't present any kind of proposal until well after July 7.

The written comments posted on the MDT website come from a mix of people split between favoring limits on truck traffic and maintaining the status quo. While concerned citizens' names were blanked out on the website to protect their identities, some of them spoke about representing groups. A member of the Lakeside Community Council stated they opposed a ban on truck traffic through Highway 35 because it would cause a "significant" increase in truck traffic on Highway 93. The council member added that "arbitrarily" preventing truck traffic from using shorter routes would be "inequitable."

"In these times of record fuel prices, it doesn't seem prudent to force them to take longer routes unless an eminent safety hazard is demonstrated," the representative wrote.

However, others felt that the safety problems were pressing. One concerned citizen wrote about a tragic accident that a sister and a four-month-old nephew son.

"I know that many families have been affected by the tragic loss of there (sic) loved ones because of the road," the person wrote. "When you sit with your department and the community, please remember those who have lost their lives on this road."

Trucks have been involved in several accidents close to the lake. In August 1975, one resident wrote, a fuel truck exploded, taking out a two-story log home. In 1992, there was another fuel spill close to Flathead Lake. A chemical spill at Fulkerson's corner also threatened local wildlife in September 2002. Some people wrote that truck drivers' actions, which included speeding and tailgating, increasing the risk.

"I am afraid when I drive 35 because the trucks take up so much of the road going around the curves at full speed," a concerned citizen said.

Not everyone agreed, however.

"Trucks, for the most part, are good about obeying speed limits and highway requirements," wrote another resident living only 40 feet from Highway 35.

Other people had more creative suggestions about how to deal with truck traffic, ranging from making Highway 35 a toll road to increasing Highway patrols to offering tax incentives for truck drivers who use 93.

"In order to be fair to everyone and not require voting or other prolonged discussions just lower the speed limit to 35 mph!" one concerned citizen wrote. "That way EVERYONE IS ALLOWED TO USE THE HIGHWAY! It will increase our gasoline mileage to eke out better mileage for everyone."

A truck driver spoke in defense of himself, saying he speeds a lot less than local homeowners. He also wrote that Highway 35 was safer and more efficient.

"It save me 1 1/2 hours to the stores I go to one way, plus it save me 20 gals of fuel one way," the driver wrote, "if I have to take 93 it will cause me to lose money and I do not feel safe on 93 north of Polson." The driver had experienced four near head-on collisions driving on the west side of the lake.

"I thought this is the land of the Free," the driver wrote, "if we are banned from the east shore, I feel that we have lost our freedom and it is also discrimination against the trucks and the drivers."

The majority of written comments were in favor of some kind of new changes or limitations, especially on potentially hazardous materials.

"All the pie charts and statistics you could muster won't be able to undo a disaster that could pollute the most beautiful lake in Montana and one of the most beautiful and clean lakes in the world," a concerned citizen wrote.

Editor's Note: The quotations used in this story are taken as written from the Montana Department of Transportation website.