BOZEMAN, Mont. - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partners Riverside Contracting Inc. and CK May Excavating announce the completion of the Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation & Safety Improvements project.
"We are pleased to share these improvements with the community," Geno Liva, MDT Butte District Administrator, said. "While we understand that the construction delays posed challenges, these improvements were essential to enhancing safety and extending the life of the roadway.
We appreciate everyone's patience during the project, and we look forward to enjoying the improvements alongside residents and commuters.
"This two-segment project included improvements on US Highway 191 (US 191) near Gallatin Gateway and the Lava Lake Trailhead.
Travelers are now enjoying a left-turn bay, wider shoulders, and a new box culvert north of Gallatin Gateway as well as a newly paved road between Storm Castle Road and the Lava Lake Trailhead.Impact attenuator replacement was conducted at Lava Lake Bridge. An impact attenuator is a crash cushion on the end of the bridge that reduces damage caused by a vehicle collision. Impact attenuators can also redirect vehicles away from hazards, such as the river below.
Although a relatively small project, this undertaking required a significant amount of work and materials. On the Turn Bay North of
Gallatin Gateway segment, CK May contributed more than 7,000 labor hours and worked with seven subcontractors to complete the project. Crews removed 6,925 cubic yards (CY) of unsuitable material and brought in 25,420 CY of gravel. A total of 410,000 pounds of precast concrete was added to replace a failing bridge with a box culvert. That's the equivalent weight of two Statues of Liberty.
These improvements will not only extend roadway longevity and durability but will enhance safety for all users. For more
information about the Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation & Safety Improvements project, please visit
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/gallatincanyon/.