Officials Working On Data For Speed Studies
Two speed studies requested by the Roosevelt County commissioners last summer are making progress in the Montana Department of Transportation’s process for traffic changes.
Keith Bithell, district traffic engineer for the department, said data has been collected for the two requests. One request is the east entry of Highway 2 coming into Wolf Point. The other request is for the area around the Family Dollar building and first roundabout in Poplar on Highway 2.
Bithell said he anticipates that the speed studies will be available in about three months. Both the county commissioners and city officials will have the opportunity to comment on the study. The state’s transportation committee will then make a final determination.
Commissioners made the request for the speed study near Wolf Point last June after Mayor Chris Dschaak said he had received a few complaints regarding the traffic coming into Wolf Point. Dschaak said the Montana Department of Transportation advised that the request speed study must come from the county because the beginning of the speed zone is located outside of city limits. He feels the speed limit sign that reads 45 should be changed to 35.
Regarding the Family Dollar in Poplar area, commissioners made the request in July.
At that time, Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said, “They have seen some serious issues. We’re trying to make it safer.”
Oelkers noted that the speed limit changes quickly from 35 mph to 45 mph in the stretch.
“It’s dangerous,” Commissioner Doug Marottek said.
