Safety improvements planned for Montana 206
The Montana Department of Transportation is planning safety improvements for Montana 206 that runs between Kalispell and Columbia Falls.
MDT will hold an open house on Thursday, April 7 at Deer Park Elementary to provide information about construction planned for the highway. The event runs from 4-6:30 p.m.
“We would like to thank everyone who has provided input and participated in previous meetings and invite you to learn more about construction at the upcoming open house,” said John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Construction Engineer, in a statement.
Construction is expected to begin in early April with substantial completion expected this year.
MDT says the purpose of the project is to improve safety and help reduce roadway departure crashes. Improvements to be constructed include widening the shoulders, flattening the steep slopes on the sides of the road, installing guardrails, and placing centerline and shoulder rumble strips. In addition, the contractor expects to upgrade the sidewalks at the Park-n-Ride parking lot located at the junction of U.S. 2 and 206.
“This is an important highway in the Flathead Valley,” Schmidt said. “These safety improvements will benefit the community and the traveling public for many years to come.”
The section of highway has a history of roadway departure crashes, according to MDT. Montana Highway Patrol reported 171 crashes along the corridor from 2007 to 2013.
MDT and their contracting partner Riverside Contracting have begun initial work in the corridor in preparation for construction. Construction will take place on 206 beginning at the junction of Montana 35 and the U.S. 2 junction in Columbia Falls.
After construction is completed, chip sealing and the final pavement markings are set to be applied to the roadway in 2023.
To sign up for construction email updates, text HWY206 to the phone number 22828; or to receive text updates text HWY206 to (866) 434-0866 (toll-free).
More information about the planned improvements can be found at: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/secondary206/