Proposed fifth lane on U.S. 2 gets mixed reception
by Kootenai Valley Record
March 3, 2010
A proposal to add a center turning lane on the section of U.S. Highway 2 from Larch Street south to the base of Whiskey Hill appears unlikely to move forward following a public meeting held by the Montana Department of Transportation last Tuesday in Libby.
About three dozen area residents turned out for the meeting, with a majority expressing opposition to reconfiguring the highway from four lanes to five for the four-mile section. Many of those present, however, indicated support for the addition of a center turning lane in short stretches where it would do the most good, such as the section of highway near Empire Foods, Town Pump and the Kootenai Business Park.
MDT is planning work on both Highway 2 and Montana Highway 37 in the Libby area this summer, explained Missoula district engineer Shane Stack. Both roads will get pavement preservation treatment with a new overlay, with work on Highway 2 running from the west end of the four-lane section south to the area past Whiskey Hill and work on Highway 37 extending to the area around Mac’s Market. Improvements to curbs and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements are also planned for the sides of both highways.
The proposal to reconfigure Highway 2 south of Libby from four lanes to five drew the most interest at Tuesday’s meeting, with several people expressing concerns about the resulting reduction in shoulder width from 10 feet to 4. Concerns included safety for bicyclists and pedestrians as well as safety in winter conditions. A few of those attending suggested that a reduction in speed limits would do more to promote safety than the addition of a turning lane.
By show of hands, a majority of those present indicated that they favored either retaining the highway’s current configuration or adding short sections with a center turning lane. MDT Missoula district administrator Doug Moeller said a number of e-mailed comments received by his office showed sentiments similar to those expressed at the meeting.
Input on the proposed work is being accepted through March 15. Opinion, comments and concerns may be submitted by mail to project manager Wade Salyards at MDT, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620-1001, or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml. Those submitting comments should indicate that the comments are for project CN 6897-6792-6798.
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Editor’s Note: See the March 2, 2010 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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