HUSON, Mont. — The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is hosting a public open house for the Sixmile Creek Wildlife Crossing Study from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at the Ninemile Community Center located at 25620 Ninemile Road in Huson.
A virtual open house sharing the same information as the in-person meeting will be available on the project website, mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/sixmile/ from October 22 to November 12. Attendees have the option of participating in one or both of the open house events.
At the in-person open house, project representatives and subject matter experts will be available to answer questions about the Sixmile Creek Wildlife Crossing Study and share information regarding conceptual design plans, wildlife accommodations, and study details.
The study area is located in Missoula County on Interstate 90 (I-90) from mile marker 79.3 to 86.6. The study, conducted by MDT, examines the possibility of replacing the 60-year-old, undersized Sixmile Creek culvert with two large open-span bridges: one for westbound traffic and one for eastbound traffic. These open-span bridges would provide a wildlife underpass that, when combined with wildlife fencing to funnel animals to the crossing, is a proven tool to reduce animal-vehicle collisions while offering suitable and safe crossing opportunities for a host of terrestrial and aquatic species, including grizzly bears, black bears, elk, deer, and native fish.
The study will also evaluate the feasibility of additional wildlife features associated with the project including "jump outs," or earthen mounds built up against the fence to allow animals to jump down quickly out of the interstate right-of-way to the safe side of the fence, double cattle guards, and electric deterrent mats at the Huson and Ninemile Exit I-90 Interchanges.
The study also includes conceptual stream restoration design of Sixmile Creek through the study area.
The project was proposed by the Western Montana Wildlife Connectivity (WMWC) Group through the Montana Wildlife & Transportation Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership, a collaboration that includes MDT, Montana
Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), and Montanans for Safe Wildlife Passage, recommended to advance the proposed project through a feasibility study. The feasibility study is funded by MDT and the Federal Highway Administration, but funding for project development and construction has not been secured.
MDT welcomes the public to provide ideas and comments related to this feasibility study. Comments may be submitted online at mdt.mt.gov/contact/comment-form.aspx or in writing to Montana Department of Transportation, Missoula office, PO Box 7039, Missoula, MT 59807-7039. Please note that comments are for project UPN 10566000.
For additional project information, please visit: Sixmile Creek Wildlife Crossing Study | Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) or contact Brittany Cremer, HDR Public Involvement, at 406-384-9823 or brittany.cremer@hdrinc.com.
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Project name: Sixmile Creek Wildlife Crossing Study
Project ID: STPX STW-0(013)
Control Number: 10566000
Tags: Open House, Meeting, News Releases and Proposed