October 4, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, announce the completion of construction north of Whitefish on Big Mountain Road. Initial work on Big Mountain Road began in August 2023 and resumed in 2024.
In 2023, crews dug out and repaved the top layer of two targeted sections of Big Mountain Road on both sides of the intersection with Ptarmigan Road. These curved sections of roadway were identified as needing additional structural support. In 2024, work was completed between Smith Road and Glades Drive and included pavement overlay activities and additional digouts for sections of the road that needed repair.
The goal of this pavement overlay process was to extend the roadway’s service life for years to come, keeping good roads good.
August 26, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, are pausing work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive until the week of September 23. This planned pause allows time for the asphalt to cure before final pavement markings are applied to the surface.
In September, crews will apply epoxy pavement markings, which are durable markings on the asphalt surface and designed to last an extended period of time.
Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of September, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
This pavement overlay process aims to extend the roadway’s service life for years to come, keeping good roads good.
August 19 - 23, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, continues work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. During the week of August 19, crews will finish guardrail work and continue with paving, seal and cover (chip seal) operations, and signage installation. Crews will be working Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting. Traffic control is in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds of 35mph and single-lane traffic directed by stop lights and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
August 12, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation, in partnership with Knife River, continue guardrail work and paving approaches on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. Travelers will be directed to one-lane traffic via stop lights and pilot cars. Expect reduced speeds and delays. Cyclists and motorcyclists use extreme caution.
Questions? Call 406-207-4484
August 5-9, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, continue work on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of August 5, crews will work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Traffic control is in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by stop lights and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Crews will continue guardrail work and will be paving approaches on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
July 29 - August 2, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, are making great progress on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of July 29, crews will work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Traffic control is in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by stop lights and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Crews will continue guardrail work and will be paving approaches on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
July 22-26, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, continue work on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of July 22, crews will continue guardrail work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive.
Traffic control will be in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by stop lights and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
July 15-19, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, continue to work hard on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of July 15, crews will continue guardrail work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive.
Traffic control will be in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by stop lights and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
July 8-12, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, are hard at work on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of July 8, crews will continue pavement preservation and guardrail work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive.
Traffic control will be in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by flaggers and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
July 1-5, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), and partner Knife River, are hard at work on the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project. During the week of July 1, crews will continue pavement preservation and guardrail work on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. Crews will work Monday and Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the fourth of July holiday, crews will pause construction activities at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 and resume on Monday, July 8.
During construction hours, there will be traffic control in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by flaggers and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
June 20, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, continue pavement preservation work the week of June 17 on Big Mountain Road, north of Whitefish.
Crews will work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traffic control is in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by flaggers and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Next week, pavement overlay activities will continue on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive. Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
June 13, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Knife River, began pavement preservation work this week on the Big Mountain Road, north of Whitefish.
Crews will work Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traffic control is in place, and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. Motorists can expect reduced speeds and single-lane traffic directed by flaggers and pilot cars. Follow all posted signage and watch for workers and equipment.
Next week, pavement overlay activities will continue on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive, beginning at the project's south end. Construction is expected to continue through the fall, dependent on weather and other unforeseen factors.
May 3, 2024
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Knife River are resuming construction on the Big Mountain Road project north of Whitefish. Last summer, crews dug out the top layer of the roadway on two targeted segments of Big Mountain Road. This year, work will occur between Smith Road and Glades Drive and include pavement overlay activities and additional dig outs for sections of the road that are in need of repair. Construction is expected to begin in early June and continue through the fall.
Pavement overlay is a road maintenance technique that involves applying a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement. Digouts are a localized repair that involves digging out an area of damaged pavement. Additional work will include digging out the top layer of roadway, grading and repairing select areas of the roadway identified as needing additional structural support to extend its service life.
Work will occur on Big Mountain Road between Smith Road and Glades Drive, beginning at the project's south end. Travelers will be directed to one-lane traffic via flaggers and pilot cars. Expect reduced speeds and delays. Cyclists and motorcyclists are encouraged to use extreme caution.
This pavement overlay process aims to extend the roadway’s service life for years to come, keeping good roads good.
October 6, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River have completed 2023 pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Traffic control has been removed. Thank you for your patience throughout construction.
A pavement overlay will occur in 2024, and updates will be provided as the construction start date approaches. Please see the green section on the linked below map for reference.
September 29, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River have substantially completed the 2023 pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
October 2 through October 4, Knife River crews will complete final roadway cleanup east and south of Ptarmigan Road, weather and other factors permitting. Please see the orange and blue sections on the linked below map for reference.
Minor traffic control will be present, and 10 to 15-minute delays are expected. Cyclists and motorcyclists are encouraged to use caution or find an alternative route. Once completed, traffic control will be removed.
Overlay roadwork will resume in 2024, and updates will be provided as the construction start date approaches. Thank you for your patience and understanding during construction season.
Safety is Always in Session: Back-to-School Reminders for Motorists
Montana’s schools are back in session, which means many children are walking, bicycling, or riding a school bus to and from their destination. MDT would like to remind motorists to always be attentive and alert while driving, to share the road, and to obey all traffic laws as school days bring school buses and increased traffic during school start and end times. Make sure you understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing. Together, we can help keep our students safe on their journey! Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and school bus safety here.
September 22, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River have completed most of the 2023 pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Next week, crews will not be present, and drivers will not experience delays.
October 2 through 4, Knife River crews will complete final roadway cleanup east and south of Ptarmigan Road, weather and other factors permitting. Please see the orange and blue sections on the linked below map for reference. Minor traffic control will be present, and 10 to 15-minute delays are expected. Cyclists and motorcyclists are encouraged to use caution or find an alternative route.
Remaining construction for 2023 is anticipated to last a few days, and traffic control will be removed once completed. Roadwork will resume in 2024, and updates will be provided as the construction start date approaches. Thank you for your patience and understanding during construction season.
More information regarding the Big Mountain Road Pavement Preservation project and a map showing the project area for 2024 roadwork are located on the project webpage.
Safety is Always in Session: Back-to-School Reminders for Motorists
Montana’s schools are back in session, which means many children are walking, bicycling, or riding a school bus to and from their destination. MDT would like to remind motorists to always be attentive and alert while driving, to share the road, and to obey all traffic laws as school days bring school buses and increased traffic during school start and end times. Make sure you understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing. Together, we can help keep our students safe on their journey! Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and school bus safety here.
September 15, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River have completed the majority of 2023 pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Drivers may notice crews completing final roadway clean up east and south of Ptarmigan Road. Please see the orange and blue on the linked map for reference. Minor traffic control is present, and 10 - 15 minutes of delays are expected. Cyclists and motorcyclists are encouraged to use caution or find an alternative route.
Remaining construction for 2023 is anticipated to last only a few days and traffic control will be removed once completed. Roadwork will resume in 2024, and updates will be provided as the construction start date approaches.
Safety is Always in Session: Back-to-School Reminders for Motorists
Montana’s schools are back in session, which means many children are walking, bicycling, or riding a school bus to and from their destination. MDT would like to remind motorists to always be attentive and alert while driving, to share the road, and to obey all traffic laws as school days bring school buses and increased traffic during school start and end times. Make sure you understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing. Together, we can help keep our students safe on their journey! Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and school bus safety here.
September 8, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River have completed 2023 pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Construction for 2023 is complete and traffic control has been removed. Roadwork will resume in 2024, and updates will be provided as the construction start date approaches.
Safety is Always in Session: Back-to-School Reminders for Motorists
Montana’s schools are back in session, which means many children are walking, bicycling, or riding a school bus to and from their destination. MDT would like to remind motorists to always be attentive and alert while driving, to share the road, and to obey all traffic laws as school days bring school buses and increased traffic during school start and end times. Make sure you understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing. Together, we can help keep our students safe on their journey! Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and school bus safety here.
September 1, 2023
This week, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River continue pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Construction activities will pause for the Labor Day holiday weekend and resume on Tuesday, September 5.
The week of September 5, crews will finish paving the roadway on the second section of the project area, just east of Ptarmigan Road.
Following paving, crews will complete temporary striping at both locations on Big Mountain Road (south of Ptarmigan Road and east of Ptarmigan Road).
Knife River will be onsite mid-next week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic control is in place. Temporary traffic signals will direct drivers. Expect single-lane closures and minor delays. Motorcycles and cyclists, please use extreme caution when traveling through the project area or find an alternate route.
Once temporary striping is complete, construction for 2023 and traffic control will be removed. Roadwork will resume in 2024, and updates will be provided as the date approaches.
August 25, 2023
This week, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River continue pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
The week of August 28, crews will continue digging out the top layer of the roadway on the second section of the project area, just east of Ptarmigan Road.
Crews will be present at both locations on Big Mountain Road (south of Ptarmigan Road and east of Ptarmigan Road, see orange and blue locations attached) to pave and begin striping the roadway.
Knife River will be onsite Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Traffic control is in place. Temporary traffic signals will direct drivers. Expect single-lane closures and minor delays. Motorcycles and cyclists, please use extreme caution when traveling through the project area or find an alternate route.
This work on Big Mountain Road is occurring to extend the life of the roadway, as this section has been identified as needing additional structural support.
August 18, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River continue pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Last week, crews began digging out the top layer of roadway on the first section of the project area located south of Ptarmigan Road. This work is occurring as this section of roadway has been identified as needing additional structural support. Knife River will be onsite Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with work possibly extending to 9 p.m. for a few nights next week.
The week of August 21, crews will begin to remove and replace the top portion of the second section of the project area located on Big Mountain Road, just east of Ptarmigan Road.
Traffic control is in place. Drivers can expect to be directed by temporary traffic signals. Expect single-lane closures and minor delays. Cyclists, please use extreme caution or find an alternate route.
August 11, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Knife River continue pavement preservation work on two sections of Big Mountain Road north of Whitefish.
Last week, crews began digging out the top layer of roadway on a short stretch of Big Mountain Road, located south of Ptarmigan Road. This work is occurring as this section of roadway has been identified as needing additional structural support.
The week of August 14 crews will begin to remove and replace the top portion of Big Mountain Road, just east of Ptarmigan Road.
Traffic control is in place. Drivers can expect to be directed through the project area by temporary traffic signals. Expect single-lane closures and minor delays. Cyclists, please use extreme caution or find an alternate route.