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Construction season begins with rumble strips

MDT projects begin in Phillips County on May 5 and 16 on US 191

Spring travelers may soon encounter a new feature along roadways in Eastern Montana. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is set to begin installing centerline rumble strips this week along key segments on Eastern Montana roadways in an effort to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes throughout the area.

"MDT is undertaking an ambitious effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on roads across eastern Montana by installing centerline rumble strips along key stretches of two-lane highway," MDT's Chris Puyear said.

The rumble strip installation is part of MDT’s Vision Zero initiative to reach zero fatalities and zero serious injuries on Montana’s highways. Installation began the week of April 16 and will continue through the end of June, depending on weather and any other conditions that road crews may encounter, according to an MDP press release.

Puyear told the PCN that installation along US-2 from the Phillips County line to Hinsdale is scheduled for May 5. US 191 from the county border to Malta is scheduled to start on May 16. If your readers have questions or feedback about the project they can contact me at 406-431-2499 or [email protected].

“Rumble strips are an extremely effective means of reducing roadway departure crashes, particularly those occurring when a vehicle crosses the median of a two-lane highway into oncoming traffic,” said Clay Blackwell, MDT’s Glendive District Construction Engineer. “The strips are designed to be a wake-up call to drivers or motorcyclists unintentionally crossing the centerline. They give users who may be distracted, drowsy, or experiencing poor visibility in a snowstorm a chance to correct course.”

Roadway departure crashes are the number one crash type in Montana, as well as the most severe and fatal. In states implementing centerline rumble strips, total roadway departure crashes have been reduced by more than 40 percent and fatal and severe injury crashes have fallen more than 70 percent.

“Installing rumble strips is a cost-effective measure we can take to improve the safety of our two-lane highways and save lives,” Blackwell explained. “Compared to a typical highway reconstruction project, which averages $1 million per mile, installing rumble strips is extremely economical at an average of $5,000 per mile.”

MDT is targeting rumble strip installation in areas that have experienced at least one fatality or serious injury within the last five years. Rumble strips will be installed in both passing and non-passing zones; however, they are not meant to deter safe passing. Passing drivers should always give other vehicles and cyclists plenty of room.

Travelers are encouraged to allow additional travel time to accommodate delays of up to 15 minutes during construction. Drivers should expect reduced speeds and lane closures in work zones with flaggers and pilot cars to direct traffic. Drivers are reminded to slow down and pay close attention to their surroundings when traveling through work zones.

For an updated map of construction in your area, visit:

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/rumblestrips.

 

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