June 26-30, 2023
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and its partner Riverside Contracting Inc. have completed the final roadway seal and cover (chip seal) and temporary striping activities on the Highway 287 – Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project.
The chip seal must cure for 30 days before permanent striping can be added. Crews will return later this summer to apply permanent roadway stripes. This will be the final phase of the project.
If you have questions, please email Kristine at
June 14-23, 2023
Final seal and cover (chip seal) activities will begin Thursday, June 15 on the Highway 287 - Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project, weather permitting.
Riverside crews completed roadway expansion operations last fall. Crews will return beginning June 15 to complete chip seal activities throughout the project area.
While chip seal work is completed, drivers can expect reduced speeds, lane closures, and pilot cars. Short delays can also be expected while waiting for the pilot car to guide traffic through the work zone.
The chip seal will need to cure for 30 days before permanent striping can be added to the roadway. Once the permanent striping is applied, this project will be finished.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided as construction progresses. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
September 19-23, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287 project the week of September 19.
Paving operations are complete! There are now four beautiful travel lanes and a center turn lane from Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road. Some minimal construction, like rumble strip and sign installation, and roadside seeding will take place the following weeks.
Speeds are still reduced through the work zone and a 12-foot width restriction is in place through the end of construction. Drivers are encouraged to travel carefully through the work zone.
Crews will return next summer to chip seal the project and add permanent roadway stripes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
September 12-16, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of September 12.
Paving operations continue and are anticipated to wrap up by the end of the week. Following paving, rumble strip, striping, and signage work will begin. Traffic has transitioned to a paved surface. Flaggers are still in place to guide traffic through the work zone and drivers can expect short delays.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
September 5-9, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of September 5.
Work will pause on September 5 for the Labor Day holiday and resume Tuesday, September 6.
Paving operations are underway and are anticipated to continue for the next two weeks. Traffic has transitioned to a paved surface. Flaggers are still in place to guide traffic through the work zone and drivers can expect short delays.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
August 29 - September 2, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of August 29.
Gravel work will wrap up early this week. Paving operations continue and Riverside crews will be working in various project areas. Traffic will transition to paved surfaces in some sections of the work zone. Traffic should not drive on paved surfaces unless directed to do so by road crews. Paving operations are weather dependent.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road surfaces. Flaggers are present to guide traffic through the work zone. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes. Motorcycles and bicycles are encouraged to take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
August 22-26, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of August 22.
Paving has begun. Traffic will continue to travel on gravel roads in various areas while paving work moves forward.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
August 15-19, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of August 15.
Riverside Contracting crews are finishing gravel compaction in several project areas. Paving is anticipated to take place this week and will begin at the west end of the project, moving east. All work is weather and material dependent.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
August 8-12, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of August 8.
Riverside Contracting crews are continuing with gravel compacting throughout the week. Paving of the project is anticipated to begin the week of August 15. All work is weather and material dependent.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
This week’s FAQ:
Q. What do you mean by “the work is material dependent”? Shouldn’t you know before you start construction that you have everything you need?”
A. Once a project is identified for improvements, funding must be approved, engineers need to develop the road design, and right-of-way acquisition must be completed. The project is let for bid and a contractor is selected. This whole process takes a lot of thoughtful planning years before construction begins.
Material procurement/ordering and scheduling of sub-contract work are done in advance of construction getting underway. In recent months, however, significant material shortages have affected construction projects around the country. Materials thought to be available can unexpectedly become unavailable, causing delays in construction progress.
Thankfully, the project has thus far been able to attain the materials necessary to keep construction moving forward, and the project remains on schedule. There is always the possibility that material shortages may occur, and the project could be delayed. When we say “material dependent” that is just our way of letting you know that the work cannot be completed in the time indicated if unforeseen shortages arise.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
August 1-5, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of August 1.
Riverside Contracting crews will finish placing gravel in the project area. Gravel finishing and compaction will need to be completed before paving begins. All work is weather and material-dependent.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Here are some frequently asked questions that you may be curious about as well.
Q. Why haven’t we seen any progress on this project? It’s just been gravel for weeks now.
A. Great question! The ground in this area contains a significant amount of clay. Clay is not a stable surface on which to build a road. To create a stable surface, gravel must be added to the roadway and packed down tight.
Preparing these four miles of highway for paving takes a lot of gravel. As of July 25, 105,619 tons of gravel have been hauled to the project. That’s 211,238,000 pounds! On their best day, Riverside Contracting hauled more than 8,500 tons or 225 truckloads of material to the project.
The road cannot be paved until the entire project area has been appropriately prepared. Hauling gravel is the first step in the placement process. Once all the gravel has been placed, crews need to spread and compact the gravel until it reaches 98% of its maximum density to ensure a durable roadway.
It’s not glamorous or exciting, but it is important. I know it seems like it is taking an eternity to get to the paving, but I promise that gravel work won’t last forever, and the pain of a couple of months on gravel road will be a distant memory when we are driving on a new, improved, long-lasting section of highway.
Q. Why did they have to tear up the whole road all at once? They should have done half at a time so we wouldn’t have to drive on the gravel.
A. I get this one a lot! While it seems perfectly reasonable to think the road construction could be completed one half at a time, that is actually not the best practice for road construction. The place where the two halves of the paved road come together is called a joint. Roadway failures and deterioration often occur at the joint. Certain paving techniques are necessary to reduce the likelihood of deterioration or failure at the joint. This can include keying the sections together by overlapping the pavement sections to eliminate a single joint down the center of the road or eliminating the joint by laying pavement across the entire width of the roadway. Either option requires the removal of the whole section of the road and overlapping paving on both sides of the highway.
This project is also not a good candidate for half and half work because the road is being widened significantly. Still, the additional width is not necessarily being added evenly to both sides of the existing roadway, making it very difficult to leave one-half of the road intact while the other side is constructed.
Q. When will you remove the giant dirt pile left over from last summer’s construction?
A. The short answer is, that it’s not our dirt pile. A private landowner purchased the excess dirt from the contractor at the end of construction last summer. The dirt is on private property, and removal is at the property owner's discretion.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
July 25-29, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project the week of July 25.
Gravel work continues throughout the project area. Some traffic shifts may happen as work progresses.
Although crews are grading the road daily, heavy traffic and wet weather can create rough travel conditions. Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
July 18-22, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of July 18.
Gravel operations continue and will do so for the next month. Watch for traffic shifts occurring throughout the project to accommodate this gravel work.
Although crews are grading the road daily, heavy traffic and wet weather can create rough travel conditions. Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
July 11-15, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of July 11.
Gravel work will continue for the next several weeks. Traffic shifts will occur throughout the project to accommodate gravel operations.
Although crews are grading the road daily, heavy traffic and wet weather can create rough travel conditions. Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
July 4-8, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of July 4.
Riverside crews will continue with hauling and placing gravel throughout the project. This work will continue for the next few weeks. Crews will be onsite weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Flaggers will be present to accommodate large construction vehicles and short traffic delays are anticipated.
Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone. Although crews are grading the road daily, heavy traffic and wet weather can create rough travel conditions. Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Work will pause Friday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 5 for the Independence Day holiday. Crews will return at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. Some construction activities may take place on Saturday, July 9.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
June 27-July 1, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of June 27.
Riverside crews will be hauling and placing gravel beginning at the west end of the project. Crews will be onsite weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Flaggers will be present to accommodate large construction vehicles and short traffic delays are anticipated.
Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone. Although crews are grading the road daily, heavy traffic and wet weather can create rough travel conditions. Drivers are encouraged to slow down on gravel roads and plan for potential delays. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Work will pause Friday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 5 for the Independence Day holiday. Crews will return at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. Some construction activities may take place on Saturday, July 9.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
June 20-24, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of June 20.
Crews have finished adding special borrow to the road surface and will begin work on roadway approaches. Traffic will continue to travel on gravel surfaces for the next couple of weeks. Flaggers may be present this week to accommodate large construction vehicles.
Gravel roads are being graded daily, but heavy traffic and wet weather can wreak havoc on the gravel roads. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road conditions. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
June 13-17, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of June 13.
Riverside crews are continuing with special borrow work, that is the specially classified gravel being trucked to the site to create a foundation for the new roadway. This work will continue for the next couple of weeks.
Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone. The roads are being grated daily, but heavy traffic and wet weather can wreak havoc on the gravel roads. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road conditions. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
There are over 73,000* miles of roads open to public travel in our state (including nearly 12,923 miles of MDT routes) that accommodate nearly 13 billion annual vehicle miles traveled (AVMT). Simply put, roads and roadways (including bridges) keep our great state connected and moving forward! The third Tuesday in June marks Good Roads Day – designated by the Montana Legislature in 1947, whereby the people of the state are asked to contribute toward the improvement and safety of public highways (MCA 60-1-104). For MDT, building “good roads” takes time and means a continuous planning process that is underway long before ground is ever broken on a project. It can take eight years to complete a road project, but long-range planning starts anywhere from 1-20 years prior to the project start date. As transportation needs outpace revenue 3 to 1, MDT focuses on safety and preserving and maintaining transportation infrastructure as top priorities; in other words, keeping Montana’s good roads in good order. Join MDT in celebrating Good Roads Day on June 21, 2022, and share what #GoodRoads mean to you!
*Find more facts about funding and Montana’s roads in MDT’s Fact Book.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
June 6-10, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of June 6.
Riverside crews are continuing with special borrow work. Special borrow refers to gravel that has been given a soil classification and is brought in from an approved pit. This special borrow is being laid on top of the existing clay to create an extra layer of durability. Doing so will ensure the roadway will last for many years to come.
Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road conditions. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up, Montana.
For many Montanans, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of summer travel, culminating with Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, these summer months can also be some of the deadliest on Montana’s roads due to increased motor vehicle crashes. As part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization running from May 23 through June 5, 2022, law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be out to educate motorists and enforce Montana’s seat belt law statewide. Using your seat belt is your best defense against serious injury or death in the event you’re in a crash. This is a Vision Zero Message from the Montana Department of Transportation. Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and seat belt safety.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
May 30-June 3, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of May 30.
Work will pause Monday, May 30, for the Memorial Day holiday and resume Tuesday, May 31.
Riverside crews are adding bus and snowplow turn arounds. Excavation operations are anticipated for completion by the end of the week.
Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road conditions. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up, Montana.
For many Montanans, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of summer travel, culminating with Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, these summer months can also be some of the deadliest on Montana’s roads due to increased motor vehicle crashes. As part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization running from May 23 through June 5, 2022, law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be out to educate motorists and enforce Montana’s seat belt law statewide. Before you make plans to travel this Memorial Day weekend, commit to always buckle up before you go, and insist your friends and family do the same. Using your seat belt is your best defense against serious injury or death in the event you’re in a crash. This is a Vision Zero Message from the Montana Department of Transportation. Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and seat belt safety.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
May 23-27, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of May 23.
Milling is taking place at the east end of the project. Excavation operations are moving forward and should be wrapped up this week. Pilot cars are guiding traffic through the project but will be removed by Tuesday or Wednesday and traffic will then be open on two lanes. Gravel surfaces are present throughout the work zone and drivers are encouraged to slow down and be mindful of changing road conditions. Motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S’s of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Seat Belts Save Lives! Buckle Up, Montana.
For many Montanans, Memorial Day weekend kicks off the start of summer travel, culminating with Labor Day weekend. Unfortunately, these summer months can also be some of the deadliest on Montana’s roads due to increased motor vehicle crashes. As part of a nationwide “Click It or Ticket” mobilization running from May 23 through June 5, 2022, law enforcement agencies and the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) will be out to educate motorists and enforce Montana’s seat belt law statewide. Before you make plans to travel this Memorial Day weekend, commit to always buckle up before you go, and insist your friends and family do the same. Using your seat belt is your best defense against serious injury or death in the event you’re in a crash. This is a Vision Zero Message from the Montana Department of Transportation. Learn more about the goal of Vision Zero and seat belt safety.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
May 16-20, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of May 16.
Excavation operations are moving forward throughout the work zone. Traffic will be swapped to the south side of the roadway and gravel surfaces will be extended the entire length of the project.
Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of changing road conditions and motorcyclists should consider alternate routes.
A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet must take alternate routes.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
May 9-13, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of May 9.
Riverside crews are continuing excavation operations throughout the project. Traffic is being diverted to a gravel surface through a portion of the work zone beginning at Diehl Ranch drive and extending west approximately one half-mile from Spokane Creek Road. Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of changing road conditions. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet will need to take alternate routes.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
May 2-6, 2022
Here’s what’s happening on the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road project for the week of May 2.
Riverside crews are continuing pipe work and excavation operations. Traffic is being diverted to a gravel surface through a portion of the work zone’s west end. Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of changing road conditions. A 12-foot width restriction remains in place throughout the project. All vehicles wider than 12 feet will need to take alternate routes.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
April 25-29, 2022
April 29 is National Arbor Day! Wood you believe the first arbor day was celebrated 150 years ago?
In honor of leafy friends, please enjoy this special Arbor Day edition of the Highway 287: Diehl Ranch Drive to Spokane Creek Road update. I promise not to make it too sappy!
I know you’ve been pining for it, here is the project update for the week of April 25.
Riverside crews are working to spruce up this section of highway. Although the weather has been nuts, excavation work continues throughout the project area and milling operations are taking place on the east end working west.
A section of the travel root between Diehl Ranch Drive and Capital Concrete will be gravel surface. Traffic will transition from asphalt to gravel and back again through this section. Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of changing road conditions and to plan for potential delays.
That’s it in a nutshell. We appreciate your patience while we complete this important project. I know puns aren’t always poplar, so I also appreciate your tolerance of my a-corny jokes. I'll leaf you alone and let you get back to enjoying a beau-tree-ful April in Montana.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
April 18-22, 2022
Here's what you can expect on the Highway 287 project the week of April 18.
Riverside Construction crews continue to conduct milling and excavation operations. Traffic is traveling on two lanes, and a 12-foot-wide vehicle restriction is in place. Drivers should be mindful of speed reductions and plan for possible delays as traffic lights, pilot cars, and flaggers are present.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
April 11-15, 2022
April 11-15 is National Work Zone Awareness Week
WORK ZONE FACTS
- Most work zone crashes are caused by inattentive or distracted drivers.
- Speeding, like driving too fast for conditions, is a leading cause of fatal work zone crashes.
- More work zone crashes occurred in the daytime compared to nighttime.
- Fatal crashes occurred more often during the months of May through September.
- In work zone crashes, it is most often drivers or their passengers that are killed or injured.
Safety is MDT’s top priority. You can do your part by remembering to slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays. Thank you for helping MDT and Riverside Contracting ensure that everyone is safe in the work zone!
Here’s what you can expect on the Highway 287 project the week of April 11.
Riverside construction crews will be conducting milling and excavation operations. Traffic is traveling on two lanes. Traffic lights, pilot cars, and flaggers are present and there is a 12-foot width restriction in place. Drivers are encouraged to be mindful of speed reductions and plan for possible delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
April 4-8, 2022
Here's what you can expect on the Highway 287 project the week of April 4.
Beginning Monday, April 4, traffic will shift to two 12-foot travel lanes and shoulder space will be eliminated. A 12-foot width restriction will be in place through the work zone. All vehicles wider than 12 feet will need to take alternate routes. The restriction will remain in place through the summer. Advance notice signage is in place in East Helena, Townsend, Three Forks.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
March 28 - April 1,2022
Here's what you can expect on the Highway 287 project the week of March 28.
Excavation work is moving forward at both ends of the project. Pipe laying operations that began last week are continuing. Crews began at the west end of the project and are working east. Preparations for the slip lane, an additional lane to improve right turns onto Highway 287, at Spokane Creek Road will begin this week as well.
Traffic is currently flowing on two paved lanes and speeds are reduced to 35 mph. A temporary traffic signal and flaggers are in place to allow equipment to cross as necessary at the Spokane Creek Road intersection. Traffic signals will be removed at the end of each workday.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at
March 21-25, 2021
Crews are laying pipe in the project area beginning on the west end of the project and working east. Traffic is currently flowing on two paved lanes and speeds are reduced to 35 mph during working hours. A temporary traffic signal and message boards are in place to allow equipment to cross the highway as necessary.
Construction is being conducted on weekdays and traffic control measures are being removed on evenings and weekends.
Remember the three S's of work zone safety: speed, space, and stress. Slow down when approaching work zones and follow posted speed limits. Leave adequate braking room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Keep your cool, pay attention, and plan for delays.
Text updates are available. To sign up, text HIGHWAY287 to 41411.
Weekly project updates will continue to be provided every Friday throughout construction. If you have questions, please email Kristine at