Say goodbye to the orange cones, candles and barrels on I-90 on both sides of St. Regis, at least until next year.

The Montana Department of Transportation reports the construction is nearly complete, but not quite. The department and their contracting partner, ACME Construction, are packing up for the year as the final pavement markings will be the last step in the project.

However, this work is highly weather dependent, and the consistent rainy weather has stopped construction for the remainder of 2022. ACME Construction will return in 2023 when the weather allows to paint the permanent pavement markings. Painting is only expected to take a few weeks to complete.

In 2021, crews completed work on the westbound portion of the interstate, resurfacing and strengthening a 7-mile stretch, and began work in the eastbound lanes. This year, work was completed on the eastbound portion of I 90. This included rejuvenating and strengthening the eastbound lanes located west of the St. Regis Interchange (Exit 33).

Then chip sealing the St. Regis Interchange ramps (Exit 33) and the Two-Mile Road Interchange ramps (Exit 30) took place. They also repaired the shoulders and guardrail ends and added new signage.

“This year, crews were able to substantially complete the project work,” said MDT Missoula District Construction Engineer, John Schmidt. “Next spring, remaining work should be wrapped up quickly. We would like to thank the community of St. Regis and the traveling public for their patience during construction. This project will extend the life of the pavement along this stretch of road for many years.”

This section of I-90 was constructed in the late 1970s. Over the years, the concrete panels shifted and settled, causing small gaps in the roadway. MDT rehabilitated the roadway using a construction process called a “Dowel Bar Retrofit.” This process ties the concrete roadway panels together to handle heavy loads better and helps prevent further shifting or cracking of the concrete.

MDT wants to remind motorists that with school back in session, drivers need to understand and follow Montana’s school bus laws. Yellow flashing lights indicate children are preparing to load or unload, and motorists should be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights indicate children are loading or unloading, and motorists MUST stop at least 30 feet from the school bus and wait until red lights are no longer flashing.