State to lower speed limit near Quinn's

After many years of work, Quinn's Hot Springs Resort was able to get the speed limit lowered on the stretch of Montana Highway 135 between Camp Bighorn and the resort. The original speed limit was 70 miles per hour, but now has been dropped in two places. At the turnout from Montana Highway 200 it will drop to 55 and then again down to 45 just before the resort. The limit will then rise again to 70 after Camp Bighorn. According to the general manager of the resort, Denise Moreth, this was achieved with help from Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Commissioner Tammi Fisher, Sanders County Commissioners and State House Representative Denley Loge from St. Regis. "This has been a decade that we've been trying to slow it down, and we've really been pushing hard this last year," said Moreth.

Moreth has been with Quinn's Hot Springs for 21 years and explained that they have been trying to get the speed limit dropped since they began having complaints during the high traffic seasons from customers and employees that were having difficulty pulling out onto the highway. As the population of Montana has increased, so has out of state traffic post pandemic, Quinn's general manager explained that the need to get something done before a serious accident occurred became extreme.

During the September county commissioner's meeting, representatives from the resort, as well as Loge, met to discuss the issue with representatives from MDT. According to Managing Director and part owner of Quinn's, Ben Slusser, "Unfortunately, it feels like if we don't do something, we're going to be back in a serious accident. Since COVID, everyone wants to come to Montana, and it's just not the same." There, Loge and MDT members suggested that Quinn's make a video showcasing the problems of the stretch of road. Quinn's created the video showing conditions during different times of year and showed the traffic and the dangerous nature of the turns there.

Moreth explained that MDT provided a lot of resistance to putting in the speed change due to an old speed study, but with the upsurge in traffic in the area some concerns have arisen. According to her, Quinn's is now at 100% capacity every day of the week year-round. "We don't need business, that's not why we're doing this. We can't handle more business," said Danice. "It's not about slowing down for anything but safety." She explained that just in customers, staff and guests, there are over 300 people coming and going from Quinn's on the average day.

Along with those concerns, she believes MDT did not understand the sheer cliffs around the area and the extensive shadows throughout winter days that make the area prone to ice. Another concern MDT had about the change was addressed by Loge at that meeting in September. He explained that such a speed change would only add a minute to travel time for those going through that stretch of road.

After presenting their argument and the video to the MDT Commissioners in Helena last Wednesday, the commissioners voted. After a close poll of three for and two opposed, the speed limit change was approved. According to Commissioner Glen Magera, who testified for the change, the area is a main thoroughfare. "Traffic is just growing, with or without the pandemic," said Magera. As for the change, he explained, "I'm happy to see it. I think it's all for the good." There is no current timeline as to when the speed limit changes will go into effect, as Moreth explained MDT has to find a place on their calendar. Moreth believes it is unlikely to change until well into 2022.