Comments sought on proposed work at Big Sandy Creek Bridge

Havre Daily News staff

Montana Department of Transportation announced it has a project in the works to stabilize an area on U.S. Highway 2 damaged by the heavy flooding this spring.

The proposal is to stabilize the Big Sandy Creek bank and complete erosion repair efforts on the ditches located next to U.S. Highway 2 three miles west of Havre. The project begins at mile marker 376, and extends for approximately half a mile, ending just west of the Big Sandy Creek Bridge.

Project Design Engineer Chris Ward said that during the heavy flooding the first two weeks of April, as the heavy snow that accumulated over the winter melted as the high temperatures rapidly rose, MDT Havre Maintenance Section plugged the drainage pipe under the highway and redirected the flow of floodwater down the north side of the highway to keep the erosion from reaching the road.

MDT workers recently filled in the erosion channel south of the highway.

The purpose of the project is to repair erosion damage and restore drainage, with Ward saying the design project will evaluate what needs to be done as a permanent fix.

A release about the project said construction is tentatively planned for 2025 depending on completion of design and availability of funds. No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

An important part of properly planning for future projects is partnering with the community, the release added. The Montana Department of Transportation welcomes the public to provide ideas and comments on the proposed project.

Comments may be submitted online at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Butte office, PO Box 3068, Butte, MT 59702-3068. Please note that comments are for project UPN 10388000.

The public is encouraged to contact Great Falls District Preconstruction Engineer James Combs at 406-454-7900 or Project Design Engineer Chris Ward at 406-454-5894 with questions or comments about the project.