POLSON — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is seeking comments on a proposal to chip seal about 14.4 miles of Highway 35 in Lake County, east of Polson.  The project begins at reference marker 3.6 and extends north for 14.4 miles ending near the northern border of the Flathead Indian Reservation (reference marker 18.0).

Proposed work includes a seal & cover treatment (chip seal) followed by the placement of highly reflective pavement markings.

The purpose of the project is to enhance the safety of the highway, provide a smoother, longer-lasting pavement and take a cost-effective action to preserve and maintain the existing highway.

The public can expect single-lane closures in the project area during working hours.  More information regarding closures will be made available prior to the beginning of construction.

The project is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2014, depending on completion of all project development activities and availability of funding.

No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

For more information, please contact Missoula District Administrator Ed Toavs at (406) 523-5802 or Project Design Manager Jeremy Terry at (406) 4447859. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Montana Department of Transportation Missoula office at PO Box 7039, Missoula MT 59807-7039, or online at www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml.