Crews start drilling in Canyon, but project is years away

While crews are drilling in the Bad Rock Canyon, any plans for actually widening the road are years out, Bob Vosen district administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation said earlier this week.

“It’s beyond our five-year plan at this point,” Vosen said.

The drill testing, both in the road bed and in the river are to determine how deep the bedrock is in the canyon and what the soil and substrate is like between the bedrock and the surface.

MDT has long talked about widening the highway, but there’s been a host of concerns over the years. The canyon itself has cultural value to Native American tribes, the river has endangered bull trout. The rock itself has literally sheared off the cliff faces in years gone by. In addition, a large natural gas line runs through the canyon as well.

“We know enough (about the rock) to be concerned,” Vosen noted.

The drilling is part of a feasibility study that will eventually come up with a plan to widen the highway.

Vosen said there needs to be a thorough engineering study as well as a fiscal analysis of any plans.

Still, the highway is a problem for motorists and for safety.

It’s been the site of numerous fatal accidents over the years, as the highway squeezes down from four lanes to two through the canyon.

MDT did replace the South Fork of the Flathead Bridge in 2018 and greatly widened the shoulders. It also added another section of bike and pedestrian path as well.

There will be some minor traffic delays. Once river work has concluded, the same westbound lane closure configuration will be established for a single day to remove the equipment. During each of these two days, single-lane traffic will be facilitated by flaggers.

The second phase is anticipated to begin early in the week of May 4, roughly eight days after the first phase begins. Crews will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the week and weekends to drill in the westbound lane of U.S. Highway 2. Traffic will be limited to one lane, controlled by flaggers to facilitate safe travel.

While crews will work to keep impacts as limited as possible, drivers should plan for delays of up to 30 minutes during heavy traffic.

However, once crews have finalized their work for the day, the drilling site will be temporarily filled to allow for travel. From the hours of 8 p.m. to 6:59 a.m., traffic will not be impacted by construction, MDT said in a release.