September 2024
Thank you to all who attended the Bell Crossing Roundabout project open house events over the past month. We’ve had approximately 200 attendees in total. Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) staff heard, read, and have given great thought to your questions, comments, and concerns.
If you were unable to attend, here is a link to display boards from the open house events, as well as simulations of the intersection.
Throughout the three events, MDT received a handful of similar questions from the public. With that in mind, we would like to provide additional details to help clarify community concerns. Please follow this link for frequently asked questions and answers.
Project Overview
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announces a construction project at the Bell Crossing and US Highway 93 (US 93) intersection in Victor. A two-lane roundabout has been selected as the design alternative to enhance safety features and improve traffic flow at this location. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.
Multiple crashes and near misses have occurred in this area, requiring an improved intersection design. MDT has selected the two-lane roundabout design to enhance roadway safety features. The entire US 93 corridor is a top priority for MDT.
Project Timeline:
In 2024, the project team will select a design build team, and then work to finalize right-of-way agreements and the two-lane roundabout design. An open house will be held later this year to share additional details with the public and gather feedback. Updates about the open house will be provided once it has been scheduled.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring or summer of 2025, weather and other factors permitting. Updates about impacts to traffic will be provided as construction approaches. MDT will provide educational material on two-lane roundabouts before construction starts, to ensure that drivers are prepared for this traffic configuration.
Two-Lane Roundabout Information:
- As you approach a two-lane roundabout, slow down.
- Choose the lane you need to travel in based on the exit you need to take.
- If you plan to turn right, approach the right lane.
- If you plan to travel straight or turn left, approach the left lane.
- Then, look left and yield to drivers inside the roundabout. Never change lanes once inside the roundabout.
- Turn your blinker on as you exit the roundabout.
For details on general roundabout safety, please visit our Vision Zero information.
Questions? Call 406-207-4484.
To sign up for updates as the project progresses, please email
For more information or if you have questions, please call the project hotline at 406-207-4484 during business hours or email
Bell Crossing Traffic Study Summary
The following details the traffic study conducted by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) for the Bell Crossing and Highway 93 intersection near Victor, Montana. The results of this study clearly indicate that a roundabout is the safest design to limit severe crashes and fatalities.
The data collection, which commenced in 2019 and incorporated historical crash data from June 15, 2015, through June 15, 2020, was a comprehensive process. This allowed MDT to utilize a five-year crash history in their analysis.
The report meticulously examined the Bitterroot Valley's future growth, and it was conclusively determined that the roundabout will operate at the highest level of service (A) through the design year 2045. A signal, on the other hand, would drop to service level C at the same 2045 design year.
During this time:
- There were six total crashes reported.
- Half of the crashes (three) were right-angle, T-bone collisions. Of these T-bone collisions, two resulted in serious injuries.
- T-bone crashes are predominant at Bell Crossing.
- None of the crashes involved impaired driving.
After the data collection, MDT is also aware that a fatal T-bone collision occurred at Bell Crossing in 2023. In fact, since the study crash analysis began (June 16, 2020 – March 31, 2024), there have been eight intersection crashes, seven of which were T-bone crashes, one of which was a fatality.