By Tim Leeds
Information on road conditions from the Montana Department of Transportation became available through a toll-free number Monday, Oct. 30, and information is also available on a newly updated page at the MDT's web page.
The toll-free number provides a brief report of regional conditions at 6:30 a.m. A more detailed report is available at about 7:30 a.m., which is updated at about 3:30 p.m., Dori Wetherelt said in a press release. Wetherelt is in charge of the road report program for the MDT. The complete report includes interstates, major highways and passes in the state.
Wetherelt said the information is based on first-hand observation of the roads and from electronic sensors along the roadside and in the road itself. The reports are available seven-days-a-week from the end of October until about the end of April.
The newly redesigned Traveler Information selection at the department's web page also provides a wide range of weather and road information over the Internet.
There are also reports of road conditions in the vicinity of 12 of Montana's larger communities, which also began Monday.
MDT also reminded Montana drivers that studded tires are legal in the state from Oct. 1 through May 31.
The toll-free number for the reports is: 1-800-226 ROAD (7623); for Havre, 265-1416; Billings, 657-0209; Bozeman, 586-1313; Butte, 494-3666; Glendive, 377-2314; Great Falls, 453-1605; Helena, 444-9424; Kalispell, 751-2037; Lewistown, 538-7445; Miles City, 233-3638; Missoula, 728-8553; Wolf Point, 653-1692.
For nearby states or provinces: Idaho, (888) 432-7623; North Dakota, (701) 328-7623; South Dakota, (605) 367-5707; Utah, (801) 964-6000; Washington, (800) 695-7623; Wyoming, (307) 772-0824; Alberta, (780) 471-6056; British Columbia, (604) 660-9770; Saskatchewan, (306) 787-7623;
CellularOne, Verizon Wireless or Sagebrush cell phone customers can dial *ROAD (*7623.)
On the Net:
www.mdt.state.mt.us
