Update on Highway 191 Construction

Over the last couple weeks, there have been comments made on social media regarding the curbs at the south end of town, on 9th Street South. The work is part of the upgrading by the Department of Transportation for the State of Montana on Hwy 191, Wickens Construction has the contract for the project. It would be safe to say that the remarks were not all positive ones, and from the sounds of things in the recent update furnished by Ella Currier, the State has listened and made some adjustment in the construction of, especially at this time, of the crossing and curb.

As the PCN stated earlier, the safety for workers and those in the traffic traveling the nine miles of highway is the number one priority.

“As construction continues, we want to advise community members and travelers to expect short delays, flaggers, traffic signals, pilot cars controlling the movement of traffic, single-lane restrictions, and reduced speed limits,” said Ryan Durbin, President of Wickens Construction.

As stated in Currier’s update, “Work is now progressing into town, where crews will install new pedestrian facilities at 9th Street West to enhance pedestrian safety,” she said.

“The improvements to pedestrian facilities include: pavement markings that are visible to people in vehicles and on foot; adding curb ‘bulb-outs’ to improve pedestrian visibility of oncoming traffic at 9th Street West; a new pedestrian-activated signal alerting drivers to crossings at 9th Street West; and a new separated shared-use path along the west side of US 191 from S 363 to 9th Street West.”

She said, “MDT decided to include pedestrian improvements in this project based on public feedback during the design phase. The bulb-outs will enhance visibility of school-aged pedestrians to motorists, while the pedestrian-activated flashing signal will also improve visibility.”

Shane Mintz, MDT Glendive District Administrator, highlighted the importance of public comments, stating, “Your input is invaluable to us. It is crucial for us to take community feedback into account when working on a project, and we are pleased that we were able to integrate these safety enhancements for pedestrians in Malta.”

Common sense is urged to all who are traveling through the construction zone, which can take a while, depending on the Wickens truck schedule. Everyone is strongly encouraged to watch for the “cone zone” and for workers and flaggers on the highway. The workers spend their days working a short distance from fast-moving vehicles, and while they make every effort to work safely, they need and rely on you, John Q. Public, to pay attention, to slow down, and be careful as you pass through any part of the work zone. This applies not only to the current project south of Malta, it is a law. All these workers have families, too, and want to go home to them every evening.

A webpage for the public to access: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/maltasouth was provided or one can contact Ella Currier at [email protected] or 406-465-7198.

The orange and reflective silver cones might be the second in line as the state flower, just remember, they are vital and lifesavers. Plan to leave early through the construction, remember to not only be a defensive driver, be a kind one.

As Paul O’Neill said, “It’s unnecessary for people to ever be hurt at work…it’s a matter of dedication to the right goal morally and ethically, about everything that we do.”

Accidents don’t happen. They are caused. Drive safe, get there alive.