Input sought on intersection safety south of Pablo

Roadway users will have an opportunity to weigh in on potential improvements to the intersection of U.S. 93 and Old Highway 93 south of Pablo at a public meeting Thursday, June 27 at the CSKT Tribal Council Chambers.

The meeting, which begins at 5 p.m., will explore long-standing safety concerns. Those concerns are the impetus for improvements to the intersection, which has seen a total of 15 crashes and two fatalities over a 13-year span. The intersection requires drivers to cross multiple lanes of high-speed traffic.

“Anytime two high-speed roadways cross one another there’s an elevated crash risk,” said Scott Gerken, MDT project manager. “If a driver judges the gap between traffic incorrectly it can quickly become a deadly T-bone style crash.”

Upgrades to the intersection are focused on reducing the potential for crashes through improved intersection design.

“We’re trying come up with an alternative that addresses the safety issues at the intersection, while accommodating local needs,” said Gerken. “The goal is to work with the community to eliminate the most high-risk crossing and turning movements on Old Highway 93.”

The changes are expected to have a significant impact on traffic operations at the intersection, which is why MDT is asking for public input early in the process. Those attending Thursday’s meeting will have an opportunity to review potential intersection configurations, ask questions of MDT staff, and provide their thoughts on ways to improve safety at the intersection.

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase and MDT is seeking input on alternative intersection configurations before proceeding with engineering.

The meeting will be held at the CSKT Tribal Council Chambers on 42483 5th Ave East.

Comments can also be submitted to Melissa Shannon melissas@strategies360.com. Please indicate comments are for the Pablo Safety Improvements Project.