TOWNSEND, Mont. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is hosting an open house to discuss proposed improvements on U.S. Highway 12 (US 12) and U.S. Highway 287 (US 287) between Spokane Creek and Townsend. Information on three projects under design will be available for review.
The open house will be held in Townsend on Thursday, August 20, at The Flynn Building, 416 Broadway Street. The public is welcome to drop in at any time between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
“We are still early in the development process of these three projects,” said Brandon Jones, MDT Butte District Project Development Engineer. “I encourage the public to participate in the open house to learn more about the proposed improvements and provide feedback.”
Each project will improve specific sections of the highway to address traffic congestion and vehicle crashes. Information available for review at the open house will include a project to widen approximately 5 miles of US 12/US 287 between Spokane Creek Road and Winston, a project to add left-turn lanes at the intersection with Beaver Creek Road in Winston, and a project to widen approximately 5 miles of US 12/US 287 between Silos Road and Cottonwood Campground northwest of Townsend.
All three projects propose to add new pavement markings, signage, rumble strips, and apply a seal and cover (chip seal).
MDT identified these sections of highway as being heavily traveled and experiencing increased traffic. Narrow lanes and shoulder widths on the highway increase congestion and limit safe passing opportunities.
These projects are in the preliminary design phase. Construction will not occur until after the designs are finalized, funding has been identified, and the necessary right-of-way has been acquired.
For more information about the open house, contact Brandon Coates at Brandon@rbci.net, visit mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/spokanecreek, call 406-444-5416, or use Montana Relay Service at 711. Requests for an accommodation to participate should be made by August 6, 2026. MDT will attempt to honor requests made after this date.
This content is sourced from
Montana Department of Transportation
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
