Highway work planned south of Havre, west of Chester

The Montana Department of Transportation is planning two projects on the Hi-Line, and is seeking public comment on a project on Beaver Creek Highway and another on Whitlash Road by Chester.

A plan for work on state Secondary Highway 234 that runs from Havre through Beaver Creek Park would start at the top of the hill south of Kravik’s Corner, about three miles south of Havre, and proceed north about a half-mile.

The proposal includes flattening the slopes into the barrow pit with the intent of giving drivers more of a chance to recover if the vehicle they are driving leaves the road. It also would include guardrail and curve signing and may require some rights-of-way acquisition and moving utilities.

The project on state Secondary Highway 409, known as Whitlash Road, would start at its intersection with U.S. Highway 2 just west of Chester and proceed north six miles to its intersection with Secondary Road 2600. Proposed work includes grading, gravel, surfacing, seal and cover, pavement markings, signing, and culvert replacement. It also could include adjustments to turning lanes on Highway 2.

The Whitlash Road project also may require new rights-of-way acquisition and relocation of utilities.

MDT staff will contact affected landowners regarding property acquisition and temporary construction permits for both projects.

For more information on either project, people can contact MDT Great Falls District Preconstruction Engineer Steve Prinzing at 406-454-5880. People with hearing impairments can call the TTY number, 406-444-7696 or 1-800-335-7592, or call the Montana Relay at 711.

People may submit written comments to the Montana Department of Transportation Great Falls Office at PO Box 1359, Great Falls MT 59403-1359, or online at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml.

People submitting comments on the Beaver Creek Highway project should note the comments are on project UPN 8042000.

Comments on the Whitlash Road project should note the comments are on project UPN 6164000.