Turning lanes on Jette Hill part of Sunny Slope project

The Montana Department of Transportation is anticipating construction on U.S. Highway 93 to be completed in the next month.

According to project manager John Schmidt, crews are adding two turn lanes for southbound traffic and one left turn lane northbound just at the bottom of the Jette Hill area.

Cost of the project is $1.2 million.

Flathead Butte and Baypoint Road are also being realigned, Schmidt said, “so they meet up with the highway.”

Before the construction started, Flathead Butte wasn’t “square to the road,” and the project will also improve visibility, Schmidt said.

The project, which started April 9, is being completed by Sandry Construction Company of Kalispell and is anticipated to be completely open to traffic July 13 with seeding in the fall.

Schmidt said that traffic patterns are not scheduled to change, but when crews chip seal the roadways, delays should be expected.

“Just be cautious of workers,” Schmidt said, adding that anytime motorists are exceeding the lowered limit of 35-55 mph when workers are present, fines are doubled.

Crews are working 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, weather permitting.

Motorists can stay updated by visiting http://roadreport.mdt.mt.gov/travinfomobile/.