Pace picks up for Ronan-Pablo highway projects
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in partnership with Riverside Contracting launched a safety improvement project May 1 near Pablo on Glover Road, just west of U.S. Hwy 93.
In addition, pavement preservation work extends from just north of Ronan to north of Pablo, ending at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Minesinger Trail. According to MDT roadwork will take a few weeks.
Guardrail and signage will be added to the curves on Glover Road at the canal crossing, and a flasher will be installed to alert eastbound vehicles of the roadway curves and bridge. According to MDT, these additions are intended to improve safety and help prevent vehicles from going off the road.
The pavement preservation project includes crack, chip and fog sealing. Work crews will apply thin layers of asphalt to the roadway and portions of the Minesinger shared-use path to add life and longevity to the existing pavement. Updated pavement markings and signage are also part of the project.
“Preservation projects like this allow us to avoid having to do more expensive rehab or reconstruction projects down the road,” said Bob Vosen, MDT Missoula District Administrator, in a press release. “Our goal is always to be proactive about keeping our good roads in good condition and enhancing safety for all users.”
Drivers can anticipate up to 15-minute delays when traveling through the work zone.
Call the project hotline at 406-207-4484 for updates, sign up for text messages by texting GLOVERSAFETY to 41411 or visit https://smstc.us/t41411/.
Ronan-North Project ramps up
Riverside Contracting will ramp up construction activity on the Ronan-North U.S. Highway 93 project over the next four weeks.
According to a press release, the contractor hopes to complete all work requiring single-lane traffic before the Memorial Day holiday weekend and busy summer season. Over the holiday weekend and for the remainder of construction, at least two lanes of traffic, one southbound and one northbound, will be maintained.
To achieve this goal, crews will work on-site 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday until Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.
Drivers should anticipate traveling on a gravel surface for a longer period and one-lane traffic resulting in travel delays of up to 15 minutes. Left turns will be prohibited in certain areas.
Also on tap this week:
• Riverside Contracting will begin milling operations south of the Old U.S. 93/3rd Ave. and U.S. 93 intersection, and make improvements on the intersection;
• Crews will begin to install a storm drain on the west side of U.S. 93 and continue slope work at the project's north end at Baptiste Road and start to install a manhole at the intersection of Round Butte Road and 1st Ave. SW.
The planned permanent closure of Spring Creek Road at U.S. 93 is scheduled for Thursday, May 11. To access the Spring Creek Road area east of the highway, drivers should use Old U.S. 93 or Mud Creek Lane as an alternate route.
For more information on the Ronan-North project, visit bit.ly/Ronan-North.