HELENA – Workers began the first phase of the East Helena viaduct safety improvements on Monday.
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) believes the improvements on Highway 12 between Helena and East Helena will reduce serious vehicle injuries and fatalities.
Crews will lay down the foundations for a concrete barrier and raised median. The barriers should be in place by May 15.
The construction is part of MDT’s Vision Zero Initiative, which works to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Montana’s roads.
Roy Peterson, MDT’s Traffic Safety Engineer, said he has received nothing but positive feedback from the East Helena community and people from Townsend.
“We tried to hit the stakeholders and the folks that really would be impacted from this project and we’ve gotten back nothing but positive feedback as far as you know, they are anxious for the project to get done and they recognize this is a needed project,” Roy Peterson said.
Crews are scheduled to begin work on the second phase of the project in July, which includes the raised median, lighting, and bridge work.
Peterson added that the raised median and lighting will help provide better visibility to keep drivers in their lane.
He said there will be lane closures and drivers need to be alert for workers and equipment in the area.
