Pulp Mill Road Roadway Improvements logo

Project Overview

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) will stabilize Pulp Mill Road to improve roadway safety. This project begins about a half mile east of Mullan Road, near the railroad overpass bridge and is approximately a half mile long. MDT will improve safety and operational efficiency by stabilizing the existing roadway and updating guardrail.

MDT will stabilize the embankments of Pulp Mill Road with the installation of sheet pile walls, where erosion has occurred and is encroaching on the road. The project will also include new guardrail and guardrail upgrades.

Project Timeline and Cost

This project was initiated when a series of embankment failures occurred. The head scarps (the steep slopes caused by erosion) extends all the way up to the guardrail posts in places, minimizing the capacity of the guardrail. With time, this situation will progress beyond the guardrail and threaten the roadway itself and the safety of the traveling public. This project was nominated to stabilize the roadway and keep traffic safe. Cannon Builders, Inc. has been contracted to complete the project.

They are expected to begin moving topsoil and adding fill to the side of the highway the week of July 26th, 2021. The construction cost is $1.2 million.

Impacts on the Public

During construction, the traveling public should expect full closure of Pulp Mill Road from Mullan Road to US Highway 10 west. The full closure is anticipated to last for the summer of 2021. Along with the closure, a detour route will be marked near the project to accommodate the traffic affected by the closure. The detours will include rerouting traffic onto alternative sections of the road.

UPN 9557000