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Home My WebLink AboutMDOT Newsline September 2004New Missouri River Ferryboats Dedicated at McClelland Guests take a celebratory fern, ride. Operator Grace SanJ'brd pilots the new McClellaad ferry across the Missouri. Over one hundred people gathered at the McClclland- Stafford Ferry Crossing on August 4 to dedicate thc new McClelland-Stafford ferry and to celebrate the addition of three new ferryboats to Montana's Missouri River fleet. The ceremony took place at the McClelland-Stafford Fer~y Crossing, about 15 miles north of Winifrcd. The other new ferries will operate at Virgelle and Carter. They are replacing boats that were over 60 years old. Representative Dennis Rehberg and Grace Sanfurd, who runs the ferry with her daughter Susan Allen, cut a red ribbon officially dedicating the new vessel. Two long-time residents of the area. Julia Jackson and Margie WillOns, both descen- dants of early Montana homesteaders, christened it with a well-aimed bottle of champagne. This project was a joint eflbrt of the Montana congressional delegation led by Senator Conrad Bums; MDT; and Blaine, Chnuteau, and Fergus Counties. In 2000, Montana received a federal Ferry Boat Discretionary Funds earmark of over $1.3 million. This was the tirst time Montana terries were eligible [br federal funding. Previously, t~rries needed to be on a ma- jor route to receive funding, and Montana's ferries did not qualify. This earmark required matching funds. MDT put up $222,000, and Blaine, Chnteau, and Fergus Counties put up $105,000 collectively. In 2003, another t~deral earmark added almost $ I. [ million to thc project. Margie Wilkins and Julia Jackson christen the new vessel MDT Director Dave Gait was master of ceremonies at the dedication. Congressman Rehberg and representatives fur Senators M~x Baucus and Coarad Burns spoke to the crowd as did Commissioners Don Swanson of Blaine County, Har- vey Worrall of Chouteau County, and Veto Petersen of Fer- gus County. Other speakers included Montana State Senators Ted Butcher and Ken Hansen. Marvin Rehbein of Rehbein Transportation Inc., John Pavsek of Morrison-Maierle Inc., and Josh Gittin of Diamond Construction. Morrison-Malerle Inc. designed the boats, towers, and tb.- cilities. Rehbein Transportation Inc. of Plains built the boats, and Diamond Construction of Helena built the towers. About $300,000 remains ii'om the em'mark, which MDT will use to replace the ferry terminals. MDT thanks all three members of Montana's congressional delegation tbr their efforts in obtaining special funding tbr this project. MDT Wants Your COmments... Check the back page of Neweline for information about a new MDT Web page that lists highway projects the Depart- ment plans to present to the Transportation Commission. These are projects that did not appear in the last Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. State Completes Railroad Branch Lines Study Although railroads have abandoned many of Montana's branch lines over the last fifty years, the remaining lines still provide an important transportation service to Montana shippers and com- munities. This is especially true in communities that rely on branch lines to ship agricultural products to national and inter- national markets. That is why the Montana Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Agriculture recently joined forces in a two-phase study to address branch line abandonment issues facing Motuana~ The first phase of the study, which was conducted by RL Banks and Associates, ~bcused on Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Rallway's (BNSF) proposal to abandon two Eastern Montana branch lines. The two lines mn from Plentywood to Scobey and from Glendive to Circle. Working with shippers, elected officials, and the three state agencies, RL Banks ana- lyzed the status of the two lines to develop recommendations for preserving the lines. Since completing the first phase of the study in July, BNSF has announced plans to move forward with the abandonment of the Glendive-to-Cimle line from a point just west of Glendive to the end of the line in Circle. BNSF has also announced it in- tends to sell its Balnville-to-Scobey line to a short4ine railroad as part of a larger arrangement that would also include the lease of the Glendive-to-Snowden line. The second phase of the Montana Branch Line Study includes updated traffic and condition information about ten other impor- tant branch lines across Montana. The study also includes an analysis of the future financial viability of the fbllowing lines: · Great Falls to Helena · Moore to Lewistown · Missoula to Darby · Valier Branch · Moccasin to Geraldine · Havre to Big Sandy · Eastham Junction to Choteau · Westby to Whitetail · Bainville to Plentywood · Great Falls to Fort Benton For more information about the Montana Branch Line Study, contact Dick Turner at ddd-7289 or dturner@state.mt, us. The study can also be viewed on MDT's website at www.mdt.state.mt.us/tranptan/. Montana Adopts Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices On Jane 30, MDT adopted the 2003 edition of the Manual on Untform Trqffic Control Devices as its guide fur traffic signs, signals, and markings. This brings MDT into compliance with state law which mandates a uniform system of traffic control devices within Montana. The Federal Highway Administrator has approved this guide as the national standard fur traffic con- trol devices. The manual is available at http://mutcdehwa.dot.gov/on the Intemet. Users may purchase a hard copy from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials at www.transportation.org, the American Traffic Safety Services Association at w~'w.atssa.com, or the Institute of Transportation Engineers at www.ite.org. Rimrock Trailways Takes Over Greyhound Routes On June 25 Greyhound Lines Inc. announced plans to restruc- ture its national system to ehininate unprofitable routes. The changes, which became effective on August 18, included dra- matic reductions in service ia Montana and other northern-tier states. For Montana, the most significant change was the elimi- nation of the Billings-to-Fargo service, which provides essential intercity bus service to Eastern Montana communities. Following Greyhound's announcement, MDT and the com- munities, businesses, and passengers that relied on Greyhound for freight and passenger services were very concerned about the planned cuts in this critical service. Fortunately, after dis- cussions with Montana and North Dakota officials and other interested partias, Rimrock Trallways of Billings agreed to take over most of the reduced Greyhound service including the route from Billings to Fargo. Rimrock Trailways began its new ser- vice on August 18 so there would be minimal disruption of ser- vice. Although Greyhound will continue to serve some Western Montana communities, Rimrock Trallways is now the largest intercity bus provider in Montana. Because of the importance of intercity bus service to Montana communities, MDT supports this essential service through its Section 5311 (f) Intercity Bus Program. Over the last few years, federal funding from this program has supported infrasn'ucture improvements such as a major rehabilitation of the Billings de- pot as well as operating assistance to Montana's intercity bus providers. For more iatbrmation on the Intercity Bus Program, contact Tom Stuber at 444-9216. New Transit Supervisor Chosen Tom Steyaert has been appointed acting transit supervisor for the Rail, Transit and Planning Divi- sion. Tom is a graduate of Mon- tana State Univemity and brings almost 20 years of transportation- related experience to his new posi- tion. Tom joined MDT in i985. His flint job with the Department in- volved collecting highway data in Central and Eastern Montana. He worked in the Bridge Bureau and the Engineering Management Unit befbre moving to the Rail, Transit and Planning Division, where he was most recently the division's air quality specialist and rail program manager. To contact Tom, call 444-4210 or send an e- mail to tsteyaert@state.mt, us. Transit Grant Workshops Start in October The application process for fiscal year 2006 transit grants is about to begin. MDT's Transit Section is gearing up for the application processes and wilI conduct workshops in October tbr the Capital Assistance Program and the Transportation As- sistance for the Disabled and Elderly (TransADE) Program. Both programs are available to any eiigible organization that provides transportation services exclusively to the elderly and persons with disabilities. The Capital Assistance Program provides federal funds to cover 80 percent of the cost of vehicles and related equipment. The local agency must contribute the remaining 20 percent. The TransADE Program provides operating funds on a 50/50 fund- ing basis to agencies serving the elderly and disabled. State law requires recipients to develop a strong, coordinated system in their communities. The workshops will provide information on eligibility criteria and time lines. MDT staff will be on hand to answer questions. Workshop locations, dates, and times are listed below: Butte: Tuesday, October 5, 2004 Belmont Senior Citizens Center 615 East Mercury Street 444-4265 TransADE Workshops JO a.m. to 12 noon Capital Assistance Workshop 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2004 MDT Havre Field Office Havre Conference Room 1671 Highway 2 West 4444265 TransADE Workshop 10 a.m. to 12 noon Capital Assistance Workshop 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Poison: Thursday, October 7, 2004 Lake County Public Health Department Conference Room 802 Main Street 444-4265 TransADE Workshop JO a.m. to 12 noon Capital Assistance Workshop 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Glendive: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 MDT Glendive District Office Glendive Conlbrence Room 503 North River Avenue 444-4265 TransADE Workshop 10 a.m. to ]2 noon Capital Assistance Workshop 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.' Billings: Thursday, October 21, 2004 MET Transit 1705 Monad Street 444-4265 TransADE Workshop 10 a.m. to 12 noon Capitaf Assistance Workshop 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Applications for fiscal year 2006 Capital Assistance and TransADE grants are due to the Transit Section no later than Tuesday, February 1, 2005. The Transit Section and the multi- agency Selection and Screening Committee will review applica- tions by March 18, and results will be announced before April 29, 2005. If you have questions about these workshops, please contact Patrick Sanders at elelel 4265 or psanders@state.rnt, us or David Jacobs at 444-6120 or da jacobs@state.mt, us. Highway Program Reauthorization Congress's fifth TEA-21 program extension will carry the highway program through Septem~ her 24, 2004. An additional extension will be necessary to close federal fiscal year 2004, and it is likely Congress will pass another extension to carry the program imo and partially through the next fiscal year. This will give the House and Senate Conference Committee time to work out differences between the House bill and the Senate bill. Montana is well represented in the conference committee with Congressman Rehberg on the House Transportation and Infi'astmc- tare Committee and Senator Bancus as the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. Both Representative Rehberg and Senator Bancus will continue their efforts to protect ',md ad- vance Montana's interests. On the appropriations l?ont, both the House and the Senate have now marked up appropriation bills fbr fiscal year 2005. Senator Burns is on the AppmPnatious Commattee and will be keeping a close eye on Montana's interests 3 U.S. Highway 2 Update U.S. 2 as it is today An example of the preferred alternative Each year during Montana's short but busy construction season, most Montanans see firsthand how MDT works with private construction companies to maintain and improve Montana's cfiticaily important highway system. However, most Montan- arts see little of the extensive behind-the-scenes work that MDT staff and consultants do to develop these projects in accordance with state and federal standards and laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act. Although most of the hundreds of projects that MDT is developing at any one time are struightfor- ward and of interest only to residents of a relatively small area, MDT occasionally develops projects with larger scopes that are of interest to residents of much broader areas. Following is a status report on one of these major efforts on an important Montana highway that demonstrates the level of analysis neces- sary to ensure MDT's highway projects are cost-effective and appropriate. Background The need for major improvements on U.S. 2 between Havre and Fort Belknap is obvious to all who drive this highway. Most of this segment of U.S. 2 was constructed in the 1940s; and based on current design standards, the highway has substandard shoulders, inadequate clear zones and side slopes, narrow bridges, and inadequate distances between the highway and busy railroad crossings. After over two years of technical analysis and public input, MDT and the Federal Highway Admthistration (FHWA) are nearing completion of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 45-mile segment of U.S. 2 between Havre and Fort Bell, map. Based on the in~-brmation developed ii,rough this process, MDT and FHWA have agreed on a preferred alterna- tive for thtare improvements to this important highway corridon The Drafi ElS analyzed four alternatives: (1) improving the existing two-lane highway, (2) improving the existing two-lane highway and adding p~sing lanes. (3) building a four-lane undi- vided highway, and (4) building a fbur-lane divided highway. FI-IWA and MDT believe an improved two-lane highway with intermittent passing lanes and wide shoulders in rural areas and a center left-turn lane in Chinook will address the purpose and need tbr the project with the least environmental impact and lowest short- and long-term costs. Following is a summary of the reasons for this decision: Traffic Flaw The segment of U.S. 2 between Havre and Fort Belknap currently ha~ average traffic volumes of approximately 2,500 vehicles per day, adjusted fbr seasonal variations. In comparison, U.S. 93 between Renan and Poison, U.S. 212 be- tween Laurel and Rockvale, and U.S. 89 between Emigrant and Livingston have dally traffic volumes of approximately I 1,300, 6,800 and 3,500, respectively. Based on historic growth rutes, the EIS estimates that traffic volumes on the Havre-Fort Belknap corridor will increase to approximately 3,800 vehicles per day by 2027. The improved two-lane with passing lanes alternative would provide a high level of ~rvice consistent with MDT standards for major reconstruction projects on similar rural highways. Pernent of Corridor Under Moderately Congested' or Worse Conditions in 2027 ................................ ~.....L~^ ,~.r~m ~r*sm, a.~ ~r~r.,~ ~ m ~m~: Safety Although this highway currently has an accident rate slightly above the statewide average for similar highways, the accident severity rate is slightly less than the statewide average. All the alternatives analyzed in the Draft EIS would reduce the accident rate to at or below the statewide average. Although the 'analysis indicates that the four-lane alternatives would provide slightly lower accident and severity rates, the improved two- lane with passing lanes alternative will provide a highway with a very Iow accident rate of 1.26 accidents per million vehicle miles traveled. The difference between this rate and the rate for the four-lane undivided alternative is 0.04 accidents per million vehicles miles traveled. 4 Federal Hazard Elimination Program Application Each city or county should submit one application per intersection or high-hazard location (up to five) to be considered for funding along with a copy of the safety priority list for their jurisdiction. Send to: Safety Management Section Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 201001 Helena MT 59620-1001 1. City, county or road agency 2. Contact person (name, address and phone number): 3. Location description for intersection or hazard area Collision diagram of investigated accidents a. Type (pedestrian, angle, rear-end, other, etc.) b. Severity (fatal, injury, or property damage) 5. Time period for the data: from o (date) Average annual daily traffic: to (date) Accident trend and countermeasures a. Identified accident trends b. Corrective measures proposed to address the accident trends Proposed improvements a. Improvement to be considered and a sketch of the improvement b, Cost estimate for the improvement *** Please attach, a diagram and analysis to the application.***' What is the Hazard Elimination Program? The Hazard Elimination Program is a federal program that funds safety improvements at high-hazard acci- dent locations. Some examples of the types of projects addressed with these funds are signing, striping, de- lineation, guardrail installation, slope flattening, and roadway realignment. Who manages the program? MDT's Safety Management Section annually reviews investigated accidents of record and sites submitted by local agencies in order to develop a priority list of locations that could participate in this program. Where does the money come from? Ninety percent of the money for safety improvements at these locations comes from the federal government (Highway Trust Fund). Ten percent comes from the state or local governments. Who is eligible? To be eligible, a city or county must regularly report accidents to the Montana Highway Patrol for recording in the Transportation Information System. The proposed improvement must not be a maintenance function. What are the goals of the Hazard Elimination Program? The goal of the Safety Management System and the Hazard Elimination Program is to reduce the number and severity of crashes on Montana roadways. How are high-hazard locations identified? High-hazard locations are identified by accident trends based on the number of crashes, accident rates, se- verity of crashes, or a combination of these factors. How many locations can applicants submit from each city or county? Applicants may submit up to five Iooations annually. These sites will be included in the overall statewide ranking and priority listing. What information should you submit with the application? You will need to include a safety priority list, accident analysis, traffic information, and proposed improve- ments. (See the application on the back of this page.) What is the review and approval process? After MDT receives all the applications from participating cities or counties, the Safety Management Section develops a list of priorities according to benefit/cost ratio. Next we develop a program for improvement sub- ject to availability of funds and a benefit/cost ratio greater than 1.0. The Transportation Commission ap- proves the list of projects and includes it in their minutes. Where shouldyou send the application?' Safety Management Section Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 201001 Helena MT 59620-1001 (406)444-6113 What is the deadline for submitting applications?' May 31, 2005 Accident Rates When the economic analysis includes cost, the benefit/cost ratio tbr the improved two-lane with passing lanes alternative is 46 percent higher than the benefit/cost ratio for the four-lane divided alternative. Although the economic analysis was limited to the 45-mile segment of U.S. 2 covered by the EIS, the results are consistent with an analysis of the entire U.S. 2 corridor using the Highway Economic Analysis Tool that is being developed for the Mon- tana Highway Reconfiguration Study. Some supporters of the four-iane alternatives maintain that a four-lane U.S. 2 in Montana is an essential part of a larger eco- nomic initiative to create a four-lane U.S. 2 fi'om western Wash- ington to eastern Minnesota. However, U.S. 2 in Washington, Idaho, North Dakota, and Minnesota is not all fbur lanes now, and these states have no plans to four-lane all of U.S. 2 within their boundaries (see map below). Economic Analysis The ElS concluded that, while a sate and modem U.S. 2 is important to the area's economy, major capacity improvements "on their own are unlikely to generate significant regional economic development benefits." The re- port goes on to say that corridor economic growth depends on factors other than U.S. 2, including distance to market, lack of capital, and market demand constraints. The EIS employed a widely used economic analysis model called StratBENCOST to estimate the potential economic bene- fits of the four alternatives. These estimates indicate the alter- natives would produce similar economic benefits. In fact, total benefits for the four-lane divided alternative are on/y 15 percent higher than the benefits for the improved two-lane alternative. ~0.ts. Benefit-Cost Ratio Over 25 Years Improved Two Irnpro~odTwo FourLane Four Lane Lane La~e ~i~h Undivided Divided Passing Lanes US HIGHWAY 2 BUILT AND COMMITTED FOUR-LANE STANDARD U.S. Highway 2 Update continued... Cost The estimated cost to design and construct the four alter- natives ranges from $69.7 million for the improved two-lane design to $106.8 million for the four-lane divided alternative. Within the Great Falls Highway District, where the Havre to Fort Belknap Project is located, there are 509 miles of highway on the National Highway System (NHS) supported by $15 mil- lion annually. The least expensive four-lane alternative, a four- lane undivided highway, would cost an estimated $94.5 million. The preferred 'alternative, an improved two-lane highway with passing lanes, would cost an estimated $73.4 million. The dif- ference in cost for these two alternatives is $21.i million. This difference is $6.1 million more than the entire annual NHS budget for the Great Falls District. Although MDT can use its normal federal and state funding to pay for the construction of the two-lane with passing lanes alter- native, Senate Bill 3, passed during the 2001 legislative session, requires MDT to use special federal funding that does not re- quire a state match to pay tbr the increased costs of the fbur-lane alternatives. This type of federal funding is difficult to obtain and predict. Design, Right-of-Walt, & Construction Costs $70 $40 $1o $o Im proved T~/o Irn proud Twa Four Lane Four Lane Lane Lane with Undivided Divided PessingLanes In addition to design and construction costs, the EIS also esti- mates the long-term maintenance costs for each of the alterna- tives. This is an important consideration because state thnds pay for the majority of maintenance costs whereas the construc- tion costs are largely paid tbr with federal funds. The diftbrence in 20-year maintenance costs between the improved two-lane with passing lanes alternative and the four-lane undivided alter- native is $3.4 million. e $15 8 $i3 "6 So ~ $5 E .~ $3 20-Year Maintenance Costs Improved Two Improved Two Four Lane L~ne wid~ Undivided Passing Lanes E~vided Environmental and Community Impacts The EIS de- scribes the impact of each alternative on cultural resources, wet- lands, floodplains, hazaxdous material sites, businesses, and communities. The extent of these impacts is generally propor- tional to the width of the alternative: In other words, the wider the alternative, the greater the impacts. For example, on U.S. 2 from Havre to Fort Belknap, the two-lane alternatives would adversely attEct three historic properties, while the undivided four-lane alternatives would adversely affect five such proper- ties. The relative impacts on wetlands are especially important because federal law requires states to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fbr any project that impacts wet- lands. In the case of the four alternatives in the ElS, the Corps has told MDT and FHWA that it will not issue a permit for any alternative that has greater impacts than the two-lane alterna- tives since these altematives meet the purpose and need fbr the project with the least impact to wedands. Public Input The public involvement process for the EIS in- cluded numerous public meetings and workshops, work with a Citizens Advisory Committee, public and tracking industry sur- veys, interviews with key highway users including emergency responders and school bus operators, and a general public com- ment period on the Draft ElS. The Final EIS will include all the comments as well as re- sponses to comments where appropriate. In general, comments focused on economic growth and safety issues. Supporters of the fbur-lane alternatives, including the Citizens Advisory Com- mittee, Highway 2 Association and Fort Belknap Indian Com- munity Council, believe these alternatives would provide sig- nificant economic development and safety benefits over the two-lane alternatives. Several commented that the scope of the EIS should be expanded to include the entire U.S. 2 corridor within Montana or between Seattle and Minneapolis to accu- rately reflect the multi-state economic corridor. The Highway 2 Association also submitted a critical review of the economic analysis intbe EIS. This review, the Cooper Report, criticized the EIS analysis, in part, for using incomplete infbrmation and for not including a new economic development plan for the U.S. 2 corridor. However, federal and state econo- mists who reviewed the report note that the Cooper Report used incorrect data and analysis methods to reach its conclusions. Others commented that a high quality two-lane highway would be adequate for the corridor and that the four-lane alter- natives would be needlessly expensive and disruptive to the The Environmental Protection Agency wrote that it supports the two-lane alternatives because they fulfill the purpose and need for the project with fewer adveme impacts. The Final EIS is scheduled for release in late October with a Record of Decision by FHWA by late November or early De- cember. Once the Record of Decision is final, MDT plans to move forward with the design of the first project on this corri- dor. For more information on the U.S. 2 Havre to Fort Belknap EIS. call Mick Johnson at 454-5887 or Karl Hclvik at 444-5446 or visit www.rndt.state.mt, us. The Four Corners-West Project Before 4/?er This photo of MT 84 between Bozeman and Norris was taken in 2000. Check the Road Before You Go If you plan to travel in Montana, it's easy to lind out ahead of time what road and weather conditions you may encounter. MDT's traveler information Web site (www. mdt.state.mt.us/ travi~fo/) provides a wealth of inl'ormation including weather and road conditions, tire and load restrictions, and rest area loca- tions. There are also links to traveler intbrmation sites in other states and Canada. For specific intbrmation, click on RWIS/Cameras, Road/ Weather Information Data. There you'll find a map showing 18' sites where MDT cameras transmit color images of the road surthce every 30 minutes. The map also shows 60 Road/ Weather Intbrmation System (RWIS) sites where instruments transmit mai-time air, wind, precipitation and road surface con- ditions. Click on the green triangles to display the data. Road and weather intbrmation is also available by phone. The traditional 1-800-226-7623 anmber provides statewide road and weather intbrmation. The recording is updated every 30 minutes or when major changes occur. The nationwide traveler intormatioa number, 511, is a rela- tively new source that offers 24-hour real-time travel intbrma- tion. Although a number of states have not yet started this ser- vice, in the West it is available in Montana, North and South Dakota, Utah, Arizona, northern California, Oregon, and Wash- ington. Motorists can dial 511, enter their location, and receive a site-specific report on road and weather conditions. A photo of the same section taken in 2004 shows a wider, safer highway with ramble strips and a new, much safer intersection with Churchill Road. New CTEP Engineer Chosen Michael Wherley is MDT's new CTEP Engineer and Section Su- pervisor. Mike is a Montana native who grew up in Missoula. He gradu- ated from Washington State U'ni- versify with a degree in civil engi- neering. Following graduation he served two years with the Peace Corps in Liberia, West Africa, where he worked in the Rural Development Program helping local people build roads, schoolhouses, healthcare clinics, and market thcilities. Mike has over 30 years of engineering experience including 18 years in the private sector as a consulting engineer. For 15 of those years he worked for HKM Engineering in Billings and Sheridan Wyoming. Mike came to MDT in 1993 and worked in the Hydraulics Section before moving to CI'E? in June. CTEP, which stands tbr Community Transportation Enhance- ment Program. is a state program that provides l~deral funds to local and tribal governments tbr transportation enhancement projects. For more intbrmation, contact Mike Wherley at 4444221 or mwherley(~state.mt.us. Watch the December Newsline for the conclusion j~i~_ ~ of A Tabloid History of Mon~ar~a by Bob Fletcher. MDT Wants Your Comments To view the list of highway projects MDT plane to present to t~e Transportation Comm~ss~on~ go to ww~v. mdt. state, mt. us and click on the Rail. Transit &,Planning [ink under Departments. From there, click on 2005 Proposed Highway Projects, If you prefer to receive the list by rnail callesat 1-600-714-7298 Mail your comments on proposed projects to MDT at the following address or e-mail them to mdt2OOSee@state, m[us. MDT Project AnaEsis Chiel PO Box 201003_ Helena. MT 59620~:001 Inside This Issue New Missouri River Ferryboats Dedicated ..................................... 1 State Completes Railroad Branch Lines Study ............................. 2 Montana Adoats MUTCD:...: ............................................. ._ .......... 2 Rimrock Trailways Takes Over Greyhound Routes ......................... ~ New Transit Su eervisor Chosen ...................................................... 2 Transit Grant Workshoes Start in October._...,:.,2_.., .................... 3 Highway Pro,ram Reauthorization ................................................. 3 U.S. Highway 2 Upeate..: ............................................................... 4 Before and After ....................................................................... 7 Check the Road Before You Go ................................................. 7 New CTEP~Englneer Chosen ......................................................... 7 Contact Information Only the most frequently requested numbem are ilsted here. For an area or eeraon not I~sted. call 800-71~-7298:(in Montana only) or 40C::A¢4-~3423. The TTY number is 406-~,~.~.:~696 or 800-335:7592. Ad rain istrator (Sa nd ra Straehl~.,.: ..................................... 4A4-7692 .......................................................................... sstraeh]@sta~e.mt, us Bike/Pedestrian .............................................. : ......... _. 444-9:~73 ........................................................... .:.: ........... dtumer@state, mt. us Mae Orders (Karen Horne-Smitm ...................................... 444-6119 Muf[imodal Planning (Dick Turner~ ........................... .........: 444-7289 ............................................................................ dtumer@state, mT, us Projects (Gary I_arson) ....................................................... 444-6110 ............................................................................. gmrson@state.mtcus Secondary Roaas WeyneNoem) ....................................... 444-63_09 .......................................................................... wnoem@state,mt,u~ Road Data & Mapping(Zia Kazimi) ............. ........................................................................... zkazimi@state, mt~us Traffic Data tDan Bisers) ................................................... ....................................................................... dbisom@stata.m[, us Transit (Tom Steyaert) ............................................. L-.:.. 444;4210 ...................................................................... tsteyaert@state.mt;ua Statewide & Urban Planning(Lynn ZantoL...:. ................. 444-3445 .......................................................................... Izanto@state.mt~us: Newsline Editor (Dawn McCalluml ............................................................ /...., dmccallu m@state.mt~us Newsline is a quarterly publication of the Rail. Transit and Planning Division. Montana Department of Transportation. 6,544 copies of tiffs public document were published at an estimated cost of 46¢ per copy for a total of $3,024 which includes $1,001 for printing and $2,023 for distribution. Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. For further information call (406)444-6331. The TTY number is (406)444-7696 or (800)335-7592. MDT's mission is to serve the public by providing a transportation system and services that emphasize quality, safety, cost effectiveness, economic vitality and sensitivity to the environment. Rail, Transit & Planning Division Montana Department of Transportation 2701 Prospect Avenue P.O. Box 201001 Helena, Montana 59620-1001 800-714-7296 Pre Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Helena, MT Permit No. 141 HONORABLE JOHN E JOHNSON JR MAYOR OF LAUREL PO BOX 10 LAUREL MT 59044-0010