Repairs continue on Blue Slide Road

One lane of traffic was open to traffic along Blue Slide Road over the Memorial Day weekend, easing travel for residents and visitors.

A portion of the road was closed in early May after a creek washed out part of the roadway. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) immediately began assessing the area and working to open the road to traffic.

Construction resumed on the project Wednesday at 7 a.m. The road is now closed during the day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while efforts to permanently repair the road continue. One lane will re-open to a single lane of traffic each evening at 7 p.m. Traffic will be controlled using stop lights through the 1/8-mile long work zone.

MDT anticipates this schedule to last for a couple of weeks until the road can be opened to two lanes of traffic. During this first phase of repairs, motorists will travel at reduced speeds on a gravel surface, and the lane width has been reduce to 10 feet. Wide loads also are restricted.

The road was closed approximately nine miles west of Thompson Falls in late April when Cougar Creek overflowed and washed out the gravel beneath the pavement, causing the roadway to become unsafe for travel.

The public can stay updated on the project during construction. To request email updates, text BLUESLIDE to 22828 or email [email protected]. Information and construction updates are also posted at http://www.mdt.mt.gov/projects.