The Montana Department of Transportation closed a passing zone earlier this month on Highway 93, drawing praise from members of the community, which has lobbied for such changes over the past year.

The area that was changed to a no-passing zone extends north and south of Deer Creek Road and came in response to a list of improvements requested by area residents as safety concerns.

"We had some requests from different community members to review concerns with the increase in traffic volume due to business and residential growth in the area," MDOT traffic engineer James Freyholtz said. "We looked at how much those businesses are growing and that's actually showing us that we have an increased use, so this seemed like the reasonable thing to do."

Sue Handy, a resident of the Deer Creek Road neighborhood said she believed that the elimination of the passing zone in front of the intersection "will go a long way in improving traffic safety for all of us who use it on a daily basis as well as all traffic using Hwy. 93 to reach their destinations."

Other items on the list include placement of turn lanes for both directions, adequate shoulder on both sides, a decrease of the present speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph and a guard rail on east side of Hwy. 93 at this intersection. However, Freyholtz said the passing zone closure was the only item the department was presently looking at.

"There are some other things that we would like to have to make that intersection safe, but we are glad that they are listening to us," Handy said. "It's progress. I think the squeaky wheel gets the job done quite often."

Handy's husband, David, said he feels the change has been an important step for the whole community.

"I think the whole neighborhood is very pleased about it," he said.