New Study: Major Changes Ahead For This Popular MT Highway

A summary of the key information is provided at the bottom of the article.

BUTTE, MT - For decades, US Highway 93 between Missoula and Florence has served as a critical transportation route for commuters, businesses, and freight traffic.

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But as development and population growth surge in the Bitterroot Valley, the highway has become increasingly congested, dangerous, and difficult to navigate.

Now, a comprehensive study by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has laid out a blueprint for the corridor’s future—a vision that includes new traffic signals, redesigned intersections, and major safety improvements for both drivers and wildlife.

So, what’s in store for one of Montana’s busiest highways?

Let’s break it down.

A Dangerous and Overloaded Highway

US 93 has struggled to keep pace with the rapid development of the Bitterroot Valley.

Originally expanded from two to four lanes between 1998 and 2001, the highway is now handling far more traffic than expected.

Key Problems Identified in the Study:

• Traffic Volume Overload:

  • Daily vehicle counts range between 15,000 and 27,000—well beyond original projections.
  • Severe congestion occurs during morning and evening peak hours, especially near Missoula and Lolo.

• Alarming Safety Issues:

  • Over the past 10 years, there have been 1,118 crashes, including:
    
    • 12 fatalities
    • 28 serious injuries
  • Rear-end, fixed-object, and head-on collisions are common, particularly in high-speed areas.
  • Wildlife-vehicle collisions are a major concern, with 335 reported crashes, primarily involving deer and elk.

• Wildlife Conflicts:

  • The highway runs through key wildlife migration corridors, yet there are no safe crossings.
  • Fences and barriers have sometimes trapped wildlife in dangerous spots, increasing collisions.

MDT’s conclusion? If nothing is done, conditions will only get worse.

What’s Being Proposed?

The Missoula-Florence Corridor Study considered four major design concepts to improve safety and traffic flow.

Here’s what made the cut:

1. Major Intersection Redesigns

Some of the most dangerous areas of US 93 are at intersections where drivers struggle to turn due to high-speed traffic. Several key changes are planned:

• New Traffic Signals at:
  
  • Lewis & Clark Drive
  • Mormon Creek Road
  • Long Avenue (Florence-Carlton School area)
• Restricted Crossing U-Turns (RCUTs) at:
  
  • Rowan Street
  • Carlton Creek Road
  • Chief Looking Glass Road
    • (These will reduce left-turn crashes but may require some drivers to take U-turn detours.)
• "Continuous T" Intersections at:
  
  • Cochise Drive
  • Bird Lane
    • (Designed to reduce rear-end crashes and improve left-turn flow.)

2. Dividing the Highway for Safety

• Concrete barriers and raised medians will be added in high-risk areas to prevent head-on collisions.

• A new "Reduced Conflict" highway design will guide drivers to turn at designated safe spots rather than making risky direct turns.

3. Wildlife Crossings & Fencing

MDT acknowledges that wildlife collisions are a growing problem.

The study identifies seven key locations where wildlife crossings or fencing improvements could prevent deadly crashes for both drivers and animals:

• Cochise Drive / Deadman Gulch – Potential for a wildlife underpass.

• Lolo Creek Bridge – Could be modified to allow safer crossings for animals.

• Carlton Creek Road – A new overpass or culvert enlargement may be needed.

In addition, fencing will be installed along major migration corridors to funnel animals toward safe crossings.

4. New Speed Control & Traffic Technology

To combat speeding and improve safety, the study recommends:

• Variable Speed Limits (VSL) in high-crash areas.

• Electronic warning signs that alert drivers to upcoming slowdowns.

• Traffic cameras and monitoring systems to improve enforcement.

How Much Will It Cost?

MDT estimates the full project will cost $203 million, broken down as follows:

• Urban transition areas (Missoula & Florence) – $35.1 million

• Lolo urban section – $38.7 million

• High-speed rural highway section – $69.2 million

• S-curve safety redesign – $29.8 million

• Wildlife crossings and mitigation – (Included in total)

At this time, no funding has been secured.

When Will These Changes to US Hwy 93 Happen?

Unfortunately, full-scale improvements will take years—possibly decades—to complete.

MDT will need to secure funding in phases, meaning:

1. Short-term safety fixes (e.g., improved signage, intersection tweaks) could begin within a few years.
2. Larger intersection reconstructions (RCUTs, new signals) may roll out over the next 5-10 years.
3. Full corridor-wide changes (wildlife crossings, highway redesigns) could take 15-20 years, depending on funding.

What This Means for Drivers

If you drive US 93, be prepared for changes—some good, some frustrating.

✅ Safer roads: Fewer deadly crashes, better intersections, and improved wildlife crossings.

✅ More predictable traffic: Signals and medians should reduce bottlenecks.

❌ Potential longer routes: RCUTs and access management changes may require some drivers to take detours for left turns.

❌ Construction delays ahead: As funding comes in, expect construction zones on US 93 over the next several years.

The Bottom Line

US 93 is long overdue for safety and capacity improvements.

The Missoula-Florence Corridor Study provides a bold vision for a safer, more efficient highway—but the price is steep, and without funding, implementation could stall.

For now, the biggest questions remain: Will the state secure enough funding? And will drivers be willing to adapt to these changes?

Either way, one thing is clear—if nothing is done, US 93’s problems will likely get worse.

Summary:

A new Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) study outlines significant improvements for US Highway 93 between Missoula and Florence to address growing traffic congestion, safety hazards, and wildlife conflicts.

Key Issues Identified:

• High Traffic Volumes: Up to 27,000 vehicles per day, causing major congestion during peak hours.
• Severe Safety Concerns: 1,118 crashes over 10 years, including 12 fatalities and 335 wildlife-related collisions.
• Lack of Wildlife Crossings: The highway cuts through key migration corridors, leading to frequent vehicle-animal crashes.

Proposed Solutions:

✅ Intersection Upgrades: New traffic signals, roundabouts, and Restricted Crossing U-Turns (RCUTs) to improve traffic flow and safety.

✅ Divided Highway Design: Raised medians and barriers to prevent head-on collisions.

✅ Wildlife Safety Measures: New overpasses, underpasses, fencing, and detection systems to reduce crashes.

✅ Speed & Traffic Management: Variable Speed Limits (VSL) and electronic warning signs in high-risk areas.

Project Challenges:

Estimated Cost: $203 million, with no funding secured yet. MDT is seeking federal and state grants to finance the project.

Phased Construction: Improvements will be gradually implemented over the next 10-20 years, starting with low-cost safety fixes.

What It Means for Drivers:

Safer roads, but some longer routes due to RCUTs and access management.
More efficient traffic flow, but expect construction delays in the coming years.

The future of US 93 depends on funding availability and public support. If nothing is done, traffic congestion and crash risks will only increase.