MISSOULA – The ongoing work on a new Missoula roundabout will be causing some temporary changes on Interstate 90.
The Montana Department of Transportation plans to close the westbound off-ramp from I-90 to Van Buren Street between June 13th and June 25th. Drivers are encouraged to plan for additional travel time and to use alternative routes.
Bicycle and pedestrian traffic is still being detoured to the existing sidewalks lining the east side of Van Buren Street. The detour is expected to last most of the summer.
“The Van Buren Street Interchange is one of the most well-used sections of roadway in Missoula,” Missoula District Construction Engineer Bob Vosen said. "In order for us to achieve this goal, we will have to disrupt traffic, and we know that’s not easy. We truly thank the community for their patience as we work through these sections.”
The Van Buren Street Interchange project calls for two roundabouts will be installed at the entry and exit points between I-90 and Van Buren Street. Contractors will be closing additional on- and off-ramps at the Van Buren Street Interchange throughout the summer.
Folks can stay up-to-date on the project by signing up for weekly emails by emailing a request to katie@bigskypublicrelations.com, registering for text message alerts by texting “VANBUREN” to 41411, visiting the project website, or by calling the project hotline at (406) 207-4484.
The entire Van Buren Street Interchange project will extend from Broadway to just south of Poplar Street and will feature a shared-use path running along the west side of the roadway. A sound barrier will be installed lining I-90 along Vine Street on both sides of Van Buren Street.
Additionally, a portion of the existing Interstate 90 bridge deck will also be removed for sound wall installation in the same area, causing one lane to be closed until further notice.
The Montana Department of Transportation hosts a public Q&A session every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army building on Russell Street in Missoula.
lso impacting access to Missoula from Interstate 90, east of the Van Buren Street Interchange, Montana Rail Link is working on a project on the East Broadway overpass near East Missoula. The road will be reduced to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with the work expected to last until July.
The goal of this project is to complete the large majority of work by November 2018.?
RELATED: Van Buren construction brings significant changes for bikes, noise reduction
