State gives go-ahead for Somers stoplight

The Daily Inter Lake

The state has stepped up efforts to put a stoplight at the intersection of U.S. 93 and Montana 82 and said Wednesday that construction is scheduled for November.

The Somers community and residents of the surrounding area petitioned the state Department of Transportation to put up a traffic light after the death of 14-year-old Dane Shattuck, who was killed at the intersection July 10 near Somers as he tried to cross U.S. 93 on his bicycle. More than 2,000 signatures were gathered.

"We said we wouldn't take no for an answer," Dane's father, Tim Shattuck said.

During a recent community meeting with state transportation officials, residents stressed the need for a traffic signal at the heavily traveled junction where 15 crashes occurred from 2005 to 2006.

State Traffic and Safety Engineer Duane Williams initially said it could take up to two years to get the signal erected. Williams and other state officials were unavailable at press time to comment about the expedited project.

Proposed work includes replacing the current flashing beacon at the intersection with a new traffic signal, a state press release indicated. U.S. 93 will be modified to provide two through-lanes for both north and southbound traffic.

The right-turn lane from northbound U.S. 93 onto Montana 82 and right-turn lane westbound from 82 onto U.S. 93 will be eliminated, and these traffic movements will be controlled by the proposed traffic signal.

Pedestrian access will be accommodated on all four corners of the intersection with pedestrian walk indicators and painted crosswalks.

No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

The state is seeking comments on the project. They can be sent to the Montana Department of Transportation, Missoula Office, at P.O. Box 7039, Missoula, MT 59807-7039, or go online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml, noting comments are for project UPN 6541000.