EBS STAFF
The Montana Department of Transportation announced its completion of the Gallatin Canyon Pavement Preservation and Safety Improvements project, including necessary road work in two sections of the drive between Gallatin Gateway and Big Sky.
The project improved two segments of U.S. Highway 191: near Gallatin Gateway, crews added wider shoulders, a left-turn bay and a new box culvert to replace a failing bridge; and in the Gallatin Canyon between the Lava Lake trailhead and Storm Castle Road, crews paved the road.
“We are pleased to share these improvements with the community,” Geno Liva, MDT Butte District Administrator, stated in a Nov. 18 press release from MDT. “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.”
The release added that although the project was relatively small, it required a significant amount of work and materials. In the Gallatin Gateway segment, workers with CK May Excavating contributed more than 7,000 hours of work and collaborated with seven subcontractors, removing 6,925 cubic yards of “unsuitable material” and bringing in 25,420 cubic yards of gravel.
The box culvert in Gallatin Gateway includes 410,000 pounds of precast concrete—double the weight of the Statue of Liberty, according to the release.
Crews also replaced the impact attenuator at Lava Lake Bridge, a “crash cushion” on the end of the bridge to reduce damage caused by vehicle collision, and potentially redirect vehicles away from hazards, such as the Gallatin River below. MDT is planning to replace the Lava Lake Bridge in coming years, and for the entire Lava Lake area, MDT is exploring a new design to improve mobility and safety for pedestrians and drivers.
