Letter to the Editor - Need to take care of viaduct safety issues

Dear Hill County commissioners Diane McLean, Mark Peterson, Jake Strissel,

There is a preliminary upgrade plan being drafted on a seven-mile stretch of Highway 232.

I was surprised to learn at the open house, last Thursday, that the proposed plan is a new plan, not what has been discussed for nearly a decade.

Safety has always been of prime consideration, yet there is no mention of the largest safety issue, the viaduct. With petroleum products being transported from Canada every day, traveling over the viaduct

and spilling directly on to Highway 2, right in Havre, one accident could wipe out part of the city and kill or injure hundreds of people.

There are large heavy loads that come over the viaduct every day, it only takes one malfunction to cause a disaster. Think about it, do we want that on our conscience.

We have been raising the issue for 20 years, but no one seems to be listening. We have proposed a reliever route for trucks for years, yet it’s been ignored. The proposed plan would include upgrading Highway 232, beginning at the foot of the hill on the North Side in Havre. to the Junction of Highway 233.

Funding for that section would be better spent on the Reliever Route, as the present route leading into Havre is adequate for lighter vehicles for the time being.

The original plan for the seven-mile upgrade, that’s been discussed, was to begin at the recent upgrade of the Highway at the junction of Highway 233, extending north seven miles.

I’m disappointed, after all the years of discussion, the planners have come up with a new proposal.

At the very least, the public needs to be informed, if they are OK with the viaduct safety issue, then we proceed.

Cordially,

Bob Sivertsen

Highway 2 Association president