U.S. HIGHWAY 191 CORRIDOR STUDY

The planning-level evaluation to identify needs and constraints for U.S. Highway 191 improvements will be underway into August 2020.

The Montana Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, local jurisdictions, resource agencies and the public are a part of developing a corridor study. The area that will be examined is in Gallatin County, from Four Corners to the Beaver Creek Road intersection.

The last time improvements were mentioned for U.S. Highway 191, Madison County saw semi-trailer traffic increase on U.S. Highway 287.

“It was just miserable at that time,” Patricia Stabler said.

When U.S. Highway 191 was closed for substantial repairs about ten years ago, traffic was redirected to U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate Highway 84. Stabler still lives in the same house off of U.S. Highway 287 near Cameron. She saw wildlife kills from vehicles increase in her front yard during the closure. She and neighbors had safety, noise and hazardous spills concerns.

The corridor study is meant to navgate through infeasible options on improving U.S. Highway 191. The area’s growing population will increase traffic on the highway. The 1,077 reported vehicle crashes over the last 10 years reported adverse road conditions and lack of lighting as common factors, according to MDT.

Design plans will come out of the corridor study, but a better understanding of improvements that address safety, geometric and environmental concerns based on the highway’s need to accommodate the population growth of the area.

MDT will hold its second public meeting on the U.S. Highway 191 corridor study May 20.