October 7, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction have completed work on the I-15 Helena North project. Work on this project began earlier this summer and took a single season to complete.
As part of this project, crews crack sealed six interstate bridges on Interstate 15 (I-15) and applied a scrub seal to approximately 11 miles of I-15 near Helena. Several interchange ramps also received a scrub seal, and the entire project area received new pavement markings as part of this project.
The purpose of this project was to extend the service life of this section of roadway and the bridges and interchange ramps within its boundaries. The pavement was previously showing signs of deterioration, and the scrub seal was chosen to rejuvenate the existing asphalt and provide the pavement with a new layer of protection. The work done as part of this project will reduce the regular maintenance needed on this section of the highway in the future.
MDT and Montana Materials & Construction would like to thank the public for their patience during construction.
August 18, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction will begin applying final epoxy paint markings to Interstate 15 (I-15) in Helena the week of August 18.
Crews anticipate beginning with painting mainline I-15 northbound then southbound on Wednesday, August 20. Crews will then return to paint adjacent, on- and off-ramps, exit lanes and merge lanes.
On Thursday, August 21, crews anticipate briefly closing the Capitol Area Interchange (Exit 192) northbound on-ramp and Custer Avenue Interchange (Exit 194) southbound on-ramp to allow crews to paint merge arrows in the merging lanes. These closures may last up to a few hours, but the ramps will reopen the same day. Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route at this time.
This work is anticipated to take a few days to complete. Currently crews expect to work Wednesday through Saturday. Watch for slow-moving vehicles and wet paint during this work. Additionally, be advised that speed limits will be reduced, and lane closures may occur. All work is pending weather and other unforeseen factors.
Work to crack seal the north and southbound I-15 bridges over Boulder Avenue in Helena remains to be scheduled. This work will need to take place before the project is fully completed and will be announced once scheduled.
August 8, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction will resume work on Interstate 15 (I-15) in Helena the week of August 11.
Next week, crews will sweep the project area to remove any remaining debris. This is anticipated to take a few days to complete. Motorists should expect single lane closures and reduced speed limits during this work.
The week of August 18, crews will begin applying final paint markings throughout the project area. This is anticipated to take the full week to complete. Watch for slow-moving vehicles and wet paint during this work. Additionally, be advised that speed limits will be reduced, and lane closures may occur.
Work to crack seal the north and southbound I-15 bridges over Boulder Avenue in Helena remains to be scheduled. This work will need to take place before the project is fully completed and will be announced once scheduled.
July 8, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction will continue minor work on Interstate 15 (I-15) this week.
Crews will be sweeping the I-15 interchange ramps throughout the project area. Interim striping will also occur.
No traffic control will be in place while this work is completed. MDT asks that motorists use caution, watch out for workers and slow moving vehicles, and stay off wet paint.
Following completion of this work, the project will pause for 30 to 45 days. Crews will then return and apply final epoxy paint markings.
A timeframe to crack seal the northbound and southbound I-15 bridges over Boulder Avenue is still to be determined.
June 30, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction have completed applying a scrub seal on mainline Interstate 15 (I-15).
Additionally, scrub seal operations have been completed on the Lincoln Road Interchange (Exit 200) and South Helena Interchange (Exit 190).
Brooming and striping will continue on mainline I-15 and on the Exit 190 ramps through July 3.
July 1 through 3 motorists should expect intermittent closures at the Capitol Area Interchange (Exit 192), Cedar Street Interchange (Exit 193), and Custer Avenue Interchange (Exit 194). During this time, crews will begin applying scrub seal to all on- and off-ramps of these interchanges.
Motorists should consider alternate routes when possible during this time. Work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
No work will take place on Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Work will resume on Monday, July 7.
What to expect during construction:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
- Speed limits will be reduced.
- Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
- Fresh oil, loose chips, and fresh paint may be present in the work zone.
- Interchange ramps will be temporarily closed when a scrub seal is applied.
- Wide loads may be restricted at times.
For the safety of workers, MDT asks that motorists slow down, use caution, and be aware when traveling through the project area.
June 27, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction are continuing scrub sealing on Interstate 15 (I-15).
The South Helena Interchange (Exit 190) and Townsend/Capitol Area Interchange (Exit 192) will experience intermittent ramp closures on Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28. MDT recommends travelers use an alternate route to these exists on these dates.
Crews continue scrub sealing in the Helena area. Please anticipate wait times when using I-15, and consider alternate routes when possible.
What to expect during construction:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
- Speed limits will be reduced.
- Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
- Fresh oil, loose chips, and fresh paint may be present in the work zone.
- Interchange ramps will be temporarily closed when a scrub seal is applied.
- Wide loads may be restricted at times.
For the safety of workers, MDT asks that motorists slow down, use caution, and be aware when traveling through the project area.
June 25, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction are continuing scrub sealing on Interstate 15 (I-15) this week. Crews are moving into the city of Helena on I-15 and anticipate working in this section of the project for the remainder of the week.
As crews scrub seal through town, wait times to enter the interstate will increase as traffic backs up. Motorists should anticipate delays when using I-15 this week. Consider using an alternate route if possible.
What to expect during construction:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
- Speed limits will be reduced.
- Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
- Fresh oil, loose chips, and fresh paint may be present in the work zone.
- Interchange ramps will be temporarily closed when a scrub seal is applied.
- Wide loads may be restricted at times.
June 20, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction completed crack sealing on the Interstate 15 (I-15) bridges over Tenmile Creek and Sierra Road this week. Work to crack seal the bridges over Boulder Avenue is on hold and will take place at a later date.
Beginning the week of June 23, crews will apply a scrub seal to I-15 beginning at the Lincoln Road (Exit 200) interchange, moving south. Additionally, the work area will be broomed, and interim paint markings will be applied.
Currently it is anticipated that the northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp of Exit 200 will be closed for a 30- to 45-minute period during the afternoon of June 23. Those needing to enter or exit the interstate via these ramps at that time will need to detour south to the Custer Avenue Interchange (Exit 194).
What to expect during construction:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
- Speed limits will be reduced.
- Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
- Fresh oil, loose chips, and fresh paint may be present in the work zone.
- Interchange ramps will be temporarily closed when a scrub seal is applied.
- Wide loads may be restricted at times.
June 13, 2025
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Montana Materials & Construction expect to begin construction the week of June 16 on a project to rehabilitate approximately 11 miles of Interstate 15 (I-15) near Helena. Construction is anticipated to be completed by August, weather and other unforeseen circumstances permitting.
When work begins, motorists can expect:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane.
- Speed limits will be reduced.
- Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
- Interchange ramps will be temporarily closed when a seal and cover (scrub seal) is applied.
- Wide loads may be restricted at times.