Construction starts May 24 on Dern and Springcreek roundabout
The intersection of West Springcreek and Dern roads and U.S. 2 is the site of a proposed roundabout. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)
The Montana Department of Transportation will start construction May 24 on the Dern Road and Springcreek Road intersection on U.S 2.
Road work is expected to last until November, depending on weather conditions. Some additional work is also expected to take place next spring.
Crews from Schellinger Construction of Columbia Falls will perform the road construction.
The Dern and Springcreek project involves installing a roundabout at the intersection and flattening the slope of U.S. 2 to increase visibility for drivers.
A roundabout was selected to improve safety at the intersection — the site of 48 crashes between 2003 and 2014. The state agency looked at 12 possible intersection configurations before settling on a roundabout design.
Initial construction will occur adjacent to the roadway near the northwest corner of the current intersection. According to a press release, drivers may anticipate delays as crews and large equipment access the work zone. As construction progresses, there are likely to be additional travel impacts. Updates will be given as work progresses.
The Department of Transportation will host two open house events to inform the public about the project.
One will be hosted virtually at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19, via Zoom. Registration is required and can be found at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/dernspring/open-house.shtml.
The second open house will be held in person from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at the Hampton Inn in Kalispell, 1140 U.S. 2 W. The public is invited.
During each open house, the Dern and Springcreek intersection project team will be available to discuss project plans and potential construction impacts, answer questions, and hear attendee feedback and concerns.
For more information, visit the webpage at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/dernspring/. Those who would like regular updates or have questions can contact Becca MacLean at becca@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at (406) 207-4484 during business hours. For text updates, text DERNSPRING to 41411.