Hardin South Project Updates

June 21, 2023

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and KLE Construction Inc. have substantially completed the Hardin-South project but will return to complete a seal and cover (chip seal) next week.

The Hardin-South project was a roadway reconstruction project focused on improving State Secondary Highway 313 (S 313) by addressing wear and tear and improving the service life of the roadway. Additionally, there is a new structure over Williams Coulee, and the Two Leggins Canal structure has been updated with new guardrail.

Project Manager Dave Mork of the MDT Billings District stated, “We are grateful for the public’s patience while we worked on this important project. Expect crews and machinery on the road, with single-lane traffic and speed restrictions, while chip sealing is completed.”

Chip sealing is used to extend the life of the roadway, as well as keep water from penetrating the pavement, and improve the safety of the driving surface.

August 29, 2022

This week, there will be little activity. Crews will primarily work on installing signs and shoulder maintenance. Crews will only impact traffic for a couple more days while they will bump grind or profile mill the road, both of which are tactics to smooth out any small remaining bumps or imperfections in the road. Crews will return in October to seed the shoulders, and chip sealing will occur next year.

August 22, 2022

This week, crews will be installing signs, bump grinding, finishing bridge work, repairing guardrails, installing rumble strips, painting pavement markings, and engaging in other miscellaneous roadway, topsoil, and shoulder work. Motorists should expect pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

August 15, 2022

This week, paving on the main highway should be completed. Crews will be paving approaches, installing rumble strips and new signage, and engaging in other miscellaneous roadway and shoulder work. Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights. Chip sealing is tentatively scheduled for the week of the 22nd.

August 8, 2022

Currently, paving will continue from the north end of the project moving south. Crews will pave one lane all day, and then drop back the next day and pave the other lane. This will occur twice for the first and the second 'lifts' (layers) of new pavement. Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights. Crews will begin the final lift this week, schedule and weather depending. Please be aware that there is heavy traffic along the route, and plan accordingly. Thank you for your patience as paving continues.

August 1, 2022

Currently, KLE Construction, Inc crews are working on gravel maintenance with blading, rollers, and water. Paving will continue from the north end of the project moving south. Crews will pave one lane all day, and then drop back the next day and pave the other lane. This will occur twice for the first and the second 'lifts' (layers) of new pavement. Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

July 25, 2022

Currently, KLE Construction, Inc crews are working on 'finishing' the gravel to ensure it is up to grade (roadway height) and density (roadway hardness) with blading, rollers, and water. Paving will start midweek, weather and schedule permitting. Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

July 18, 2022

KLE Construction, Inc. crews have finished placing gravel base throughout the project and firming up soft spots in the subgrade, which is the base level of the new roadway. Currently, teams are working on finishing the gravel to ensure it is up to grade and density with blading, rollers, and water. Crews will also be working on shoulders, topsoil, and approaches. Paving is tentatively scheduled for the end of July.

Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

July 11, 2022

This week, KLE Construction, Inc. crews will finish placing gravel base throughout the project and firming up soft spots in the subgrade, which is the base level of the new roadway. Then, they will start 'finish blading' the project from end to end, to fine-tune the gravel base and ensure the subgrade is ready for asphalt. Paving is tentatively scheduled for the end of July.

June 20, 2022

Due to inclement weather, KLE Construction, Inc. crews will engage in the same activities this week as last. They will be placing gravel base throughout the project and firming up soft spots in the subgrade, which is the base level of the new roadway. Soft spots must be firmed up in the subgrade before gravel can be placed to begin building the new roadway. Motorists should expect delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

June 10, 2022

Next week, KLE Construction, Inc. crews will continue placing gravel base throughout the project and firming up soft spots in in the subgrade, which is the base level of the new roadway. Soft spots must be firmed up in the subgrade before gravel can be placed to begin building the new roadway. Motorists should expect short delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

Building Connections to Bring Montana Together – Good Roads Day is June 21, 2022
There are over 73,000* miles of roads open to public travel in our state (including nearly 12,923 miles of MDT routes) that accommodate nearly 13 billion annual vehicle miles traveled (AVMT). Simply put, roads and roadways (including bridges) keep our great state connected and moving forward! The third Tuesday in June marks Good Roads Day – designated by the Montana Legislature in 1947, whereby the people of the state are asked to contribute toward the improvement and safety of public highways (MCA 60-1-104). For MDT, building “good roads” takes time and means a continuous planning process that is underway long before ground is ever broken on a project. It can take eight years to complete a road project, but long-range planning starts anywhere from 1-20 years prior to the project start date. As transportation needs outpace revenue 3 to 1, MDT focuses on safety and preserving and maintaining transportation infrastructure as top priorities; in other words, keeping Montana’s good roads in good order. Join MDT in celebrating Good Roads Day on June 21, 2022, and share what #GoodRoads mean to you!

*Find more facts about funding and Montana’s roads in MDT’s Fact Book.

May 31, 2022

On the Hardin South project, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and KLE Construction, Inc. crews worked on placing gravel base throughout the project and firming up soft spots in the gravel.

This week, crews will continue to focus primarily on improving any soft spots and install some new gravel throughout the project. Motorists should expect short delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

May 23, 2022

On the Hardin South project, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and KLE Construction, Inc. crews completed all pipe work last week. They also laid the subgrade for the road, which makes up the part of the surface below the pavement, with the exception of a few soft spots that are being reworked.

This week, crews will work on the soft spots and the placement of a crushed gravel base throughout the project. Motorists should expect short delays, pilot cars, flaggers, and signal lights.

December 28, 2021

Work impacting traffic for the season is nearly completed to prepare for winter suspension. Minimal construction will continue along the roadside, as weather allows. Speed limits will be posted for 45 MPH due to gravel surfaces and bumps. Please travel safe and slow.

November 26, 2021

Construction continues on highway 313 south of Hardin. Graveling on the south end is underway. Workers will continue as weather allows in preparation for winter suspension.

November 19, 2021

This week please expect the south end of highway 313 to undergo gravel installation. This will include shaping and filling the roadway shoulders with topsoil.

October 25, 2021

Construction continues as crews lay irrigation and drainage pipe on the north end of Highway 313. On the south end of the project, gravel surfacing and the widening of roadway shoulders are underway.

September 13, 2021

The traveling public should expect single lane closure with pilot cars during the daylight working hours. As bridge work continues, shoulder widenings are being built on the north end of the project. The beginning phases of road subgrade building on the south end are under way. Thank you for your patience as crews work to improve the roadway.

August 25, 2021

Travelers, please expect speeds of 35 mph through our detours and gravel sections. The rest of the project will allow speeds of 55 mph. Thank you for your patience as we work on pipe crossings for irrigation, reconstruct the roadway and shoulders and get ready to pour concrete on the bridge deck.