BLAINE COUNTY, Mont.: The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its contractor, Wickens Construction, have paused work for the winter on the reconstruction of a portion of US Highway 2 (US 2) between Zurich and Harlem. The project is now substantially complete.
This project widened a 7-mile stretch of US 2 between the intersections with Eight Mile Road, 4 miles east of Zurich, and Thirty Mile Road, just west of Harlem. It now includes 12-foot travel lanes and 8-foot shoulders, with 2 miles of passing lanes in both directions.
Over the past construction season, crews removed the old roadway surface, prepared the new roadway base, installed new culverts, reshaped slopes, and paved the new roadway surface across the whole project area. With paving now complete, there will be no lane closures or speed restrictions through the winter months.
MDT anticipates resuming work in early summer 2026 to complete all remaining items, including the installation of rumble strips, seal and cover operations (chip seal), and the placement of permanent roadway markings.
“This has been a productive year, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as crews made significant progress,” said Mike Moore, MDT’s Engineering Project Manager. “With the new surface in place, travelers can expect a smoother drive this winter. We’ll return next summer to wrap up the final details that complete the project.”
Members of the public can find more information on the project webpage (mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/eastzurich) and by contacting Ella Currier at ellac@strategies360.com or 406-465-7198.
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