BUTTE - The roads looked congested and chaotic and in the West Park Street area of Butte, but officials with the Montana Department of Transportation say this major road construction project is under control and on time.
“It’s tough because it’s spotty locations. As usual with an urban project there’s been challenges but they’ve done a good job dealing with them as they come,” said William Fogarty of the Department of Transportation.
The $3.5 million state project began in April and involves repaving just over a mile of Park and Excelsior streets, replacing sidewalks and putting in new lighting. Traffic has been blocked on Excelsior Street to allow for repaving. The next major step is to reduce West Park Street from four lanes to two.
“They’re will be a 12-foot driving lane in either direction and, generally, a 14-foot wide, two-way left turn lane in the center of Park Street and of course shoulders and each side,” said Fogarty.
The paving on Excelsior Street is expected to be completed by the end of this week.
“We really appreciate folks’ patience, there’s a concentrated effort going on on Excelsior Street and credit to the contractor because they came up with a very comprehensive plan,” said Fogarty.
The entire paving project is expected to be completed mid-October.
