Let's Keep Highway 287 Update Front and Center in the Public Eye
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
For weeks, months and even years, county residents have waited for Montana Department of Transportation planners to upgrade Highway 287 to make it safer for motorists.
At the January 17 Commissioners’ meeting, we saw the beginnings of their plan. Broadwater County Commissioners had worked diligently many months to have every person involved in planning highways from MDT to attend the meeting, as well as the grant application writer from Great West Engineering, who will attempt to obtain the money to help pay for the changes to the highway.
The Flynn Building meeting room was packed with Broadwater County citizens and officials who were respectful and prepared with well thought-out questions. Those in attendance included Townsend Mayor Vickie Rauser, Chuck and John Hahn, ranchers and landowners next to the highway, county board members Dwight Thompson and Carol Hatfield, House District 77 Representative Jane Gilette. We were well represented.
The well-thought-out questions were dutifully answered by MDT people. “Yes, we see the problem about the 52 approaches from the Missouri River Bridge to the Silos, most with no turning lane; yes, we know how dangerous it is to turn left at the Silos turnoff because traffic is traveling 70 miles per hour or better, both ways. Yes, we are aware that three fatalities have happened, but they don’t meet our criteria for “crash clusters”. And yes, we know how many moose, deer and antelope are killed each year along the route.
Bottom Line: the meeting was about explaining the timeline of work on this busy, mostly 2-lane highway which has 7,538 vehicle trips per day between Three Forks and Helena. The timeline: 2030. Motorists will continue to fight this dangerous driving situation every day for 4 more years before work begins. Why, because of money constraints, competition for other Montana highways with higher priorities. Many of us at the meeting came away asking ourselves, “How many more deaths will happen on Highway 287 before something is done?”
Some light did shine at the end of the tunnel, though: David Relph, speaker for MDT’s safety division, did admit that his department could, in fact, add yellow, no passing lines to dangerous portions of the road, and could, in fact, install signs to slow traffic. He demurred about changing the speed limit from 70 mph to 55mph from the River Bridge to the Silos, where a majority of housing buildup has happened. “That’s up to the federal government to make those changes,” he said.
More to the point:
Now the ball is in our court: concerned community members must step up to keep the momentum going for the Highway 287 update. We need each of you to write a letter of support for the BUILD grant application to be filed by MDOT no later than February 24. 2026. The grant application will cover Rural Project (Winston-Northwest). If awarded to MDOT, the $25millon grant is awarded on a competitive basis.
The main takeaway for letters of support: Tell your own story of your experience driving on Highway 287 to work, to doctor’s appointments, to taking your child to school. Give approximate dates and exact locations if you can. Sign with your name and full address.
Please write your letters of support to: Broadwater County Commissioners, 515 Broadway, Townsend, Montana 59644 and email to commissioners@broadwatercountymt.gov.
And if you don’t mind, submit your letter to MT43News as a letter to the editor. Just a little more public support may push our government across the finish line.
Thank you.
Nancy Marks, Publisher
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Highway 287 near Cook's Landing approach
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: North and southbound traffic on Highway 287 near the Silos turnoff
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
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