Helena - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to notify the public and seek comments on the draft 2016 Montana Rail Grade Separation Study (RGSS), an update to the 2003 RGSS commissioned to address changing conditions and assess highway-rail crossings at affected communities across the state. Since publication of the 2003 RGSS, several Montana communities have experienced growth in population, roadway traffic and train traffic, contributing to vehicle delays at at-grade railroad crossings. Both safety and delay issues at railroad crossing continue to be an important statewide and individual community concern. To address current and future safety and delay issues at railroad crossings across the state, the 2016 RGSS utilized a data-driven methodology to objectively rank public railroad crossings using factors such as vehicular volumes, train volumes and community mobility.
Ten crossings were selected for further analysis, which included site visits, recommended separation configurations, conceptual plans, benefit-cost analyses and planning-level cost estimates. Project selection for construction, funding types and availability, and prioritization were outside the scope of the 2016 RGSS. For more information, please contact Diane Myers at (406)-444-7252. To comment on the study, visit: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/railgrade/. Comments may also be mailed to Montana Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620-201001. Please indicate comments are for the Montana Rail Grade Separation Study and submit by May 6 to ensure your comments are adequately reviewed and considered for the final study. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request by contacting the Office of Civil Rights, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620; (406) 444-9229; fax (406) 444-7243, or e-mail to [email protected]. Those using a TTY may call (800) 335-7592 or through the Montana Relay Service at 711.
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