By Crystal Thompson
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is planning to reconstruct a section of Secondary 233 north of Havre.
The project would begin approximately 25 miles north of Havre, extending north for 9 miles to the Canadian border in Hill County. It will include reconstruction of the existing gravel road to a wider paved driving surface of 24 feet.
According to the MDT, the purpose of the project is to provide a safe and paved road. Michael Johnson, District Administrator of the MDT said that the department anticipates construction to begin in the 2004 season, depending on availability of funds and completion of design.
Johnson said that the construction plan came about because of changes in department funding for secondary roads. He said that each county was asked to nominate a secondary road as their top priority for reconstruction. Hill County's choice was the unpaved section of 233, and it fit the criteria for construction, Johnson said.
Johnson said that the project should only take one construction season (spring to fall) to complete, because the road is a low traffic area. Surveying of the site is scheduled to start soon, he said. Johnson said that the estimated cost of the road construction project is $5.8 million.
For more information or to comment on the proposal please contact Michael Johnson, District Administrator, Montana Department of Transportation, PO Box 1359, Great Falls, MT 59407-1359; or 1-888-730-0898.
