July 31, 2025

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has scaled down two projects on U.S. Highway 93 (US 93) in Lake County due to funding constraints. US 93 Post Creek Hill project limits have been reduced, and the Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail project area will be limited to the Eagle Pass Trail and US 93 Wildlife Overpass portions of the planned work.

A 2023 Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) grant awarded to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) was rescinded in July. This federal funding in the amount of $74.9 million was slated to design and reconstruct US 93 in the Ninepipe area and would have covered more than 80% of the project cost. This project included three segments; the US 93 North Ninepipe project; the US 93 Wildlife Overpass; and the Eagle Pass Trail Safety project. Improvements near the intersection of US 93 and Eagle Pass Trail, which include a wildlife overpass, shared-use path, new turn-lane, and widened shoulders are still planned for construction in 2027.

The US 93 Post Creek Hill project is scheduled to begin construction next year. However, the construction cost of this complex project exceeds available funding, requiring that the length of improvements be reduced to align with available resources. Improvements planned for construction in 2026 include a northbound truck climbing lane at Post Creek Hill and a new bridge over Post Creek that facilitates wildlife movement.

With questions, please email Becca at beccaXYZbigskypublicrelationsABCcom or call the project hotline Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 406-207-4484.

Project Overview

US Highway 93 (US 93) is a vital transportation corridor for many growing western Montana communities and the surrounding area. With increasing traffic volumes, especially during the busy summer months, the US 93 corridor is a priority for the Montana Department of Transportation’s (MDT) Missoula District. This includes the US 93 North - Post Creek Hill and US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail area projects.

MDT and partners are currently in the design phase of the US 93 Post Creek Hill project, which will reconstruct US 93 from Post Creek Hill Road to McDonald Lake Road to include safety and accessibility enhancements, along with wildlife accommodations.

Concurrently, the design phase of the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail project is also underway. This will reconstruct US 93 at Eagle Pass Trail in the Ninepipe area.

The updated project limits are due to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) scaling down two projects on U.S. Highway 93 (US 93) in Lake County due to funding constraints. US 93 Post Creek Hill project limits have been reduced, and the Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail project area will be limited to the Eagle Pass Trail and US 93 Wildlife Overpass portions of the planned work.

A 2023 Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) grant awarded to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) was rescinded in July. This federal funding in the amount of $74.9 million was slated to design and reconstruct US 93 in the Ninepipe area and would have covered more than 80% of the project cost. This project included three segments; the US 93 North Ninepipe project; the US 93 Wildlife Overpass; and the Eagle Pass Trail Safety project. Improvements near the intersection of US 93 and Eagle Pass Trail, which include a wildlife overpass, shared-use path, new turn-lane, and widened shoulders are still planned for construction in 2027.

The US 93 Post Creek Hill project is scheduled to begin construction in 2026. However, the construction cost of this complex project exceeds available funding, requiring that the length of improvements be reduced to align with available resources. Improvements planned for this construction include a northbound truck climbing lane at Post Creek Hill and a new bridge over Post Creek that facilitates wildlife movement.

Please see the map below as a guiding visual representation of the area projects. There are two maps included to indicate the original project limits and the new project limits due to scaled funding.

Post Creek Hill reconstruction will now include:

  • Constructing a northbound truck climbing lane at Post Creek Hill.
  • Installing a new bridge over Post Creek that facilitates wildlife movement underneath the highway.

Eagle Pass Trail reconstruction will now include:

  • One wildlife overpass.
  • Shared-use path facilities.
  • Turn lane additions.
  • Roadway reconstruction with widened shoulders.

Collaboration

MDT is partnering with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) to complete the US 93 North – Post Creek Hill and US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail project. This partnership symbolizes MDT’s commitment to preserving Montana’s natural heritage and collaborating with its communities. Recognizing the importance of clear communication and mutual understanding, MDT will work closely with stakeholders to provide updates regarding the area project’s development.

MDT also recognizes the need to begin these projects and is using interactive alternative contracting methods to complete the projects. This process allows MDT, CSKT, and the design engineers to work with construction contractors from the beginning. This will allow the team to move efficiently through the design phase to construction. Through these alternative contracting methods, the project team will be able to develop better solutions, have a clear understanding of project costs early on, and maintain quality while expediting project delivery.

Design Team

On the US 93 Post Creek Hill project, MDT is working alongside a team of Montana-based engineering experts to develop a highly complex project. Partners include Morrison-Maierle, Inc., SK Geotechnical, Kiewit Infrastructure Corp., Krebs Corp., KLJ Engineering, and DOWL.

On the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass trail project, MDT is working alongside a team of engineering and construction experts to advance this important project. Partners include Sundt-Schellinger (a Joint Venture), DOWL, DJ&A, and Jacobs.

Construction

Construction on the US 93 Post Creek Hill project is tentatively planned for 2026. Start of work on the US 93 Eagle Pass Trail project is tentatively planned for 2027.

In the meantime, the public is encouraged to reach out with thoughts and questions by calling the project hotline 406-207-4484, operating Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by emailing beccaXYZbigskypublicrelationsABCcom.

Project Maps

Original Project Limit Map

Original Project Map. Image above depicts a map of the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail and Post Creek Hill projects and various grant funding allocations. The map indicates that the US Ninepipe and Eagle Pass Trail project extends from Brook Lane to Eagle Pass Trail. Also, the Post Creek Hill project extends from Olsen/Gunlock Road to Dublin Gulch/Red Horn Road.
Original Project Map. Image above depicts a map of the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail and Post Creek Hill projects and various grant funding allocations. The map indicates that the US Ninepipe and Eagle Pass Trail project extends from Brook Lane to Eagle Pass Trail. Also, the Post Creek Hill project extends from Olsen/Gunlock Road to Dublin Gulch/Red Horn Road.

July 2025 Map (current limits)

Updated Project Map. July 2025: Image above depicts a map of the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail and Post Creek Hill projects and various grant funding allocations. The map indicates that project funding and limits has been scaled down. The map indicates that the US Ninepipe and Eagle Pass Trail project now only includes the Eagle Pass Trail section. The Post Creek Hill project now extends from McDonald Lake Road to W Post Creek Road.
Updated Project Map. July 2025: Image above depicts a map of the US 93 Ninepipe Eagle Pass Trail and Post Creek Hill projects and various grant funding allocations. The map indicates that project funding and limits has been scaled down. The map indicates that the US Ninepipe and Eagle Pass Trail project now only includes the Eagle Pass Trail section. The Post Creek Hill project now extends from McDonald Lake Road to W Post Creek Road.

UPN: 8008
UPN: 10567, 10568, & 9614