A section of I-90 near the Montana-Idaho line will be undergoing an all-summer project.

The Montana Department of Transportation, along with construction partner Acme Concrete Paving, Inc., will begin pavement reconstruction activities 3 miles east of the border and continues east for approximately 3 miles, ending near the Taft Interchange. The project runs from mile marker 3.4 to mile marker 5.7. The purpose of this construction project is to extend the service life of the roadway.

Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to begin the week of May 6 and will take two entire construction seasons to complete with crews working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Drivers are to expect 10 to 15-minute delays, reduced speeds of 35 mph, lane shifts with crossovers to shift all traffic to the westbound side, and single lane traffic when traveling through the project area. Traffic may be routed over the rumble strip onto the interstate shoulder when work is occurring. Wide loads must be staged and are allowed to travel through the project area only between 7 and 9 a.m. (All times are Mountain Standard Time). Wide loads must contact Poteet Construction at 406-360-8187 to schedule passage.

 Joan Redeen, executive assistant of communications for District 1, Missoula DOT, explains the second life for the blacktop. 

“As for asphalt, we work hard to re-use materials as much as we are able, to keep our costs down," Redeen said. "If MDT doesn't have a use for them, we find a school district or other local government agency that can put them to use. One way or another we have them recycled in a way that helps to save our taxpayers some money.” 

Redeen can be reached at 406-396-1978 for any questions or comments.