Virtual Open House #1
Welcome to the Central Montana Transportation Study virtual open house! This virtual open house is designed to supplement the in-person open houses hosted by MDT in Great Falls and Lewistown on June 17 and 18, 2025. It provides a convenient opportunity for community members who are unable to attend the in-person sessions to participate at their own pace beginning June 3, 2025.
On this page, you'll find a variety of background information and interactive content that will help you learn more about the study and provide your feedback directly to the planning team. We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your participation!
Study Overview
This brief video presentation gives a high-level overview of the Central Montana Transportation Study, its subcomponents, and the planning process. In this video we explain why the study is being developed and what we hope to achieve with the study.
Preliminary Findings & Key Takeaways
In the exhibits below, you’ll find important information and key takeaways from our baseline review of existing conditions in the study area.
- Overview
- Environmental Conditions
- Access Management
- Lewistown Subarea
- Great Falls Subarea
- Old Havre Highway & US 87 Subarea
- Armington Junction Subarea
- Staying Involved
Interactive Commenting Map
Do you have a comment or concern about a specific location within the study area? Let us know by dropping a pin on our interactive commenting map! While you’re there, check out the comments other community members have left.
For questions or assistance using this application, please email
Reports for Review
The first step in the transportation planning process was to develop an Involvement Plan to guide engagement opportunities throughout the planning effort. This plan emphasizes ongoing communication with the public and stakeholders to identify needs, constraints, and opportunities and to determine feasible improvements based on available resources and local support. We invite you to review the Involvement Plan to learn more about the strategies we’ll use to encourage meaningful participation and engagement in this planning process.
In coordination with city and county partners, MDT determined that the Access Management Plan subarea was the most critical task to address early in the planning process due to the anticipated impacts from the expansion of Malmstrom Air Force Base and other large developments planned in the vicinity. We invite you to review the draft Access Management Plan and share your thoughts with the planning team. Comments on the draft Access Management Plan should be submitted by July 18, 2025, to be considered in the final plan.
As an initial planning step for the remainder of the subareas and the nine-county Central Montana study area, a draft Environmental Scan was prepared to document existing physical, biological, and social/cultural conditions. The scan provides an overview of regulatory requirements and resource agency jurisdiction, explaining why these considerations are relevant to the study. It also includes a baseline assessment of each resource within the Central Montana study area and its subareas, highlighting the need for further investigation, permitting, and best practices for implementation as appropriate.
The planning team is currently compiling reports on existing and projected transportation conditions for each subarea, as well as for the overall Central Montana study area. These reports will be posted on this website as they are finalized. Together, they will serve as the foundation for identifying traffic, safety, and infrastructure needs, and for developing short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations for transportation improvements. A prioritized plan for the implementation of these improvements will also be included.
Questions & Feedback
Have a question about the Central Montana Study, or a comment to share with the planning team? Follow the link below to share your feedback! Please be sure to select “Central Montana Study” under the “Commenting on a project or activity?” question.