State plans to install turn lane on highway

The Daily Inter Lake

The Montana Department of Transportation plans to widen a section of Montana 40 east of Whitefish.

The main purpose is to provide a two-way left-turn-lane to address a crash trend involving left-turning vehicles.

The project begins at milepost 2.6 just east of the Montana 40 intersection with Dillon Road and Conn Road. It extends 1.2 miles to the east to milepost 3.8 just east of Svensrud Road.

The work will include grading, gravel, drainage, plant mix, topsoil, seeding, striping, and signing.

Minor utility relocations may be required; however, new right-of-way acquisition does not appear to be necessary.

The project tentatively is scheduled for construction beyond 2013.

For more information, contact Shane Stack, district preconstruction engineer, at 1-888-231-5819, or Project Manager William M. Squires at (406) 444-6228.

People may submit written comments to the Department of Transportation Missoula office at P.O. Box 7039, Missoula, MT 59807-7039, or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml