Proposed $370 Million Safety Upgrades for Dangerous Montana Highway

The Montana Department of Transportation is planning major improvements to US 191 and MT 64 in Gallatin Canyon.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Montana Department of Transportation is moving forward with a $370 million plan to improve safety, traffic flow, and infrastructure along the dangerous US 191 and MT 64 corridor between Bozeman and Big Sky. The plan includes potential upgrades near Lava Lake, replacing the Spanish Creek bridge, and adding passing lanes or turnouts. Construction is tentatively planned for 2029 pending design completion and funding availability.

Why it matters

This stretch of highway through Gallatin Canyon is known for its scenic beauty but also its high crash rate, with over 1,000 crashes reported over a 10-year period. Aggressive passing, wildlife, and congestion are major safety concerns that the proposed upgrades aim to address.

The details

The US 191 and MT 64 Optimization Plan includes a series of potential projects such as upgrades near Lava Lake, replacing the Spanish Creek bridge, and adding passing lanes or turnouts. A roundabout at the Highway 64 intersection is also being evaluated. The Montana Department of Transportation is currently accepting public comments on the proposal.

  • A study completed in 2020 found more than 1,000 crashes along this corridor over a ten-year period.
  • Construction is tentatively planned for 2029, depending on completion of design and availability of funds.

The players

Montana Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for managing and improving Montana's transportation infrastructure.

HDR

A multinational construction firm that the state of Montana works with regularly.

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What’s next

The Montana Department of Transportation is currently accepting public comments on the proposal.

The takeaway

This major infrastructure project aims to address longstanding safety concerns on a critical highway corridor in Montana, demonstrating the state's commitment to improving transportation safety and infrastructure despite the significant cost and construction timeline.