MDT finishes construction on Ronan project for season
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Riverside Contracting Inc. have completed construction activity on the Ronan-North project for the season. The project starts at the intersection of Round Butte Road with U.S. Highway 93 in Ronan and extends north for approximately two miles, ending past Spring Creek Road.
This is the first of two phases on U.S. 93 that aim to enhance safety features and improve travel and access through Ronan.
According to a press release from MDT, Missoula District Administrator Bob Vosen said the department “understands that the project has been disruptive, and we thank the community for their patience and support throughout construction.”
“We are confident that the project will result in a long-term gain for the whole community, as we have seen at the completion of other similar projects,” he added.
During the 2023 construction season, crews widened the highway to four lanes, improved drainage throughout the project area, and began work on a new shared-use path connecting Round Butte Road with the existing shared-use path along U.S. 93 that continues into Polson.
In addition, a short, 600-foot two-lane segment on First Avenue starting at Round Butte Road was constructed in preparation for the construction of the second phase of the project, Ronan-Urban.
“We look forward to completing the first phase of this project next spring,” said Riverside Contracting engineer Russ Gaub.
Work to be completed next year includes paving the shared-use path along U.S. 93, installing the final epoxy road markings, and other finishing work. Streetlights and the new traffic signal at the U.S. 93 intersection with Old U.S. 93 and Third Avenue will also be installed.
The installation of the traffic signal was delayed due to unforeseen supplier issues. According to the department’s press release, MDT is doing all that it can to install a traffic signal as soon as possible.
The Round Butte Road path is slated for completion in early 2024. This project includes building two new sections of sidewalk on the north side of Round Butte Road. As with all highway construction projects, the schedule is subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen factors.
The project's next segment, Ronan-Urban, is currently in the design phase. A construction date has yet to be determined.
Work on Perma Bridge ends for season
In other MDT news, work has been completed on the Perma bridge, which carries Secondary Highway 382 over the Flathead River, for the 2023 construction season. Rehabilitation activities will resume in the spring of 2024.
Work completed this year included replacing damaged bearings and joints, repairing girders, hydro milling and overlaying the bridge deck with new concrete, and upgrading the bridge railing.
Construction activities planned for next spring include painting portions of the steel substructure to slow corrosion, installing advance warning rumble strips and signage for the intersection of Hwy. 382 with Montana Highway 200, paving the bridge approaches and applying final striping.
More information about these improvements can be found at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/permabridge/.