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Chip sealing delayed on Toston Structures Project

Chip sealing on the Montana Department of Transportation Project has been delayed a week to June 14.

The work was initially scheduled to start June 7. The work will include single lane traffic with reduced speeds, flaggers, temporary signal lights, and pilot cars.

Paving was complete in late 2020.

Construction on the Toston Structures Project began in April of 2019. The project is in Broadwater County, south of Townsend on US 287 near Toston. Construction begins one mile north of the existing bridges and ends just past Radersburg Road (Secondary 285) on the south end. This route is important for residents, agriculture, freight, and recreation. It is also popular for tourists traveling between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

The Toston project improves safety and addresses current and future traffic needs. The existing roadway and bridges are over 70 years old and no longer meet transportation design, environment, or safety standards. In a recent 5-year study, this stretch of road has had higher crash frequency and more severe crashes than similar roads.

The project includes construction of 3.5 miles of new roadway, some of which will be moved over to connect to the new bridges over the Missouri River and BNSF railroad tracks. The two new bridges will be wider than the existing ones and will also include more room on the shoulder for walkers and bicyclists.