BELGRADE, Montana (May 26, 2021) – Belgrade locals eager to see a Jackrabbit Lane traffic solution can rest assured that engineers are hard at work on the task. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has hired engineering firm Morrison-Maierle to carry the torch of further developing Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project plans. Morrison-Maierle will develop plans to include a railroad crossing underpass or overpass on Jackrabbit Lane near Main Street. Traffic signal work once associated with the project will be conducted well ahead of other improvements.

“Designing an underpass or overpass is no easy task, and the needs of our state are great. In our district alone, there are approximately 75 projects we are preparing for construction in the next five years,” William Fogarty, Butte District Administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation, said. “We need to call on consulting partners such as Morrison-Maierle to dedicate their time and expertise to this project so MDT staff can continue to focus energy on the numerous other project priorities in the district.”

 
Plans for Jackrabbit – Madison to Main include expanding Jackrabbit Lane to a five-lane roadway, from Madison Avenue to Main Street, and creating an underpass or overpass for the railroad crossing by Main Street so that traffic can flow uninterrupted crossing the train tracks. Morrison-Maierle will lead the design process, which involves surveying land, creating, reviewing, and editing plans, conducting environmental reviews, and negotiating with landowners on right of way. The is process is expected to take multiple years to complete.  

 
The Jackrabbit – Madison to Main project also originally called for signal improvements at the six intersections below. The department has identified separate funding for this improvement, allowing traffic to move more effectively as they work towards Jackrabbit’s larger needs. These improvements involve upgrading, and/or adding traffic signals at the following intersections:

1.     Amsterdam Road and Thorpe Road
2.     Amsterdam Road and Interstate 90 eastbound off-ramp
3.     Amsterdam Road and Jackrabbit Lane
4.     Jackrabbit Lane and Interstate 90 westbound off-ramp
5.     Jackrabbit Lane and Madison Avenue
6.     Jackrabbit Lane and Main Street
 
Jackrabbit – Madison to Main is anticipated to cost $10-$20 million, and funding has not yet been secured. MDT cannot bear the brunt of costs alone and it will take time to create partnerships with local stakeholders and identify funding sources. The bulk of MDT’s funding is provided by the Federal Highway Administration and is not expected to be secured until 2026 or later.

 
To stay up to date on Jackrabbit – Madison to Main, call the Montana Department of Transportation hotline at 406-207-4484 or contact Takami Clark at takami@bigskypublicrelations.com. Learn more online at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/jackrabbit/default.shtml.
 
Alternative accessible formats of this document will be provided upon request. Persons who need an alternative format should contact the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Transportation, 2701 Prospect Avenue, PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620. Telephone 406-444-5416 or Montana Relay Service at 711.