What is the purpose of this project?

The purpose of the project is to improve the driving surface and enhance roadway safety features by reconstructing Mullan Road to meet current design standards. The project will widen roadway shoulders, flatten side slopes, straighten curves and flatten hills to improve visibility, and design a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians. Additional improvements include guardrail replacement, upgraded pavement markings, and signing and fencing.

The current phase of this project involves developing final designs and environmental documentation to determine right-of-way impacts and to secure final permits and approvals prior to construction.

Who is developing this project?

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is developing this project in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). MDT has retained HDR as the consulting engineering firm for the design of this roadway reconstruction project.

Mullan Road was recently under construction. Why is MDT proposing to reconstruct the road again?

The condition of the existing pavement was deteriorating so a pavement preservation project was completed along this section of Mullan Road to prolong the surfacing life until the completion of this project. The previous pavement preservation project did nothing to correct the safety deficiencies of the roadway, which will be addressed with this project.

How will non-motorized transportation be improved by this project?

MDT has partnered with Missoula County to include the design for a new shared-use path along the northeast side of Mullan Road. The new path will be 10-ft wide throughout most of the project limits. There are some areas where the new path will be reduced to 8-ft wide due to adjacent area constraints. The paving of the new shared-use path will be part of a separate bid package that Missoula County will administer as funding allows.

How can the public stay informed on this project?

The public is encouraged to participate in the project. There will be one public informational meeting held following preliminary design and before beginning final design. The date, time, and location for this meeting have not been determined and will be announced prior to the event through local media and this website. New project information will be posted on this website as it becomes available.

Comments can be submitted electronically. To submit a comment, visit MDT’s Online Comment Form here.

Please note that your comments are for the Mullan Road – Pulp Mill to Deschamps, UPN 6141000. Thank you!