<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0YmT91_1A1tUXPW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0YmT91_1A1tUXPW00" width="601" height="288" ><figcaption>MT 3 east of Zimmerman Trail roundabout Montana Department of Transportation</figcaption></figure>BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has completed a corridor study for Montana Highway 3 in Billings, identifying a range of improvement options to address safety and traffic concerns between Apache Trail and the East Airport Road/North 27th Street intersection.The highway serves as the northwestern gateway to Billings and is part of the National Highway System and Strategic Highway Network. The corridor transitions from rural highway on the west end to urban arterial on the east end, serving residential subdivisions, the Billings Logan International Airport and providing access to trails along the Rimrocks.The study, which examined 5.1 miles of the highway, found that several intersections are expected to fail by 2045 without capacity improvements. Traffic volumes are projected to grow at 2.1% annually, with the corridor seeing 12,300 vehicles per day currently and an estimated 19,400 by 2045, study said.Safety concerns emerged as a key issue during the planning process. From 2019 to 2023, 115 crashes were reported on the corridor, including three that resulted in serious or fatal injuries. Crashes increased by 73% during that period while traffic volumes grew by 14%.The study recommends several major intersection improvements. A two-lane roundabout is proposed for the Zimmerman Trail intersection at an estimated cost of $18.7 million. Single-lane roundabouts are recommended for Rod and Gun Club Road ($14.5 million) and AJ Way ($13.0 million). Turn lanes are proposed for the Huey Way intersection at a cost of $5.5 million.The largest recommended project involves widening 2.3 miles of MT 3 east of Rod and Gun Club Road to accommodate six-foot shoulders and a 14-foot center turn lane. That improvement carries an estimated price tag of $39.8 million.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=35prQz_1A1tUXPW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=35prQz_1A1tUXPW00" width="604" height="303" ><figcaption>Roundabout at Intersection of MT 3, E. Airport Road, and N. 27th Street Montana Department of Transportation</figcaption></figure>A pedestrian and bicycle underpass is recommended for the east leg of the Zimmerman Trail roundabout to improve connectivity between Skyline Trail and the multi-use path along Skyway Drive. The underpass would cost an estimated $4.1 million.The study also calls for travel demand management strategies to reduce peak hour vehicle trips and access management measures to consolidate driveways and restrict certain turning movements.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0zT5Nx_1A1tUXPW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zT5Nx_1A1tUXPW00" width="856" height="508" ><figcaption>Study Area and System Designation Montana Department of Transportation</figcaption></figure>Public input played a significant role in shaping the recommendations. Two sets of public meetings were held, along with an online commenting map that collected geographically specific feedback. For more on the study, visit the MDT website.</div></body>

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BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has completed a corridor study for Montana Highway 3 in Billings, identifying a range of improvement options to address safety and traffic concerns between Apache Trail and the East Airport Road/North 27th Street intersection. The highway serves as the northwestern...

Highway 3 study finds Billings intersections will fail by 2045 without upgrades

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BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has completed a corridor study for Montana Highway 3 in Billings, identifying a range of i

Highway 3 study finds Billings intersections will fail by 2045 without upgrades

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