A community breathes a collective sigh of relief as swift action is taken to address a dangerous intersection in Billings Heights. After months of mounting concerns and a series of alarming accidents, officials are stepping up to enhance road safety, and the changes are happening at lightning speed.
Just two weeks after neighbors sounded the alarm, new safety improvements are already slated to begin at the intersection of Mary Street and Bitterroot Drive.
For residents like Amanda Rule, living right next to the intersection, the crashes have hit close to home. "It could have been my child in that wreck," she shared, emphasizing the emotional toll of the situation. In the past few months alone, the intersection has witnessed at least three major crashes, a stark reminder of the risks involved.
But here's where it gets controversial... even with the improvements, some residents are skeptical. Amanda Rule points out the ongoing dangers, citing more subdivisions, new homes, and high school students driving through the area.
In an incredibly rapid response, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) conducted an initial traffic study on November 18th. By November 26th, the city and county had already agreed on an action plan for immediate upgrades. Debi Meling, Billings Public Works director, highlighted the intersection's unique challenges, including limited visibility, especially at night.
Starting this week, crews will implement several key changes:
- Installation of larger, edge-lit stop signs on Bitterroot Drive.
- Painting of stop bars at the northbound and southbound approaches.
- Addition of reflective strips on signposts.
- Placement of additional "Stop Ahead" signage.
The primary goal, according to officials, is straightforward: to ensure drivers, particularly those heading north on Bitterroot, actually stop.
Many residents had hoped for more drastic changes, such as a four-way stop or a roundabout. However, MDT's analysis determined that the intersection did not meet federal guidelines for an all-way stop. MDT's findings included:
- Incomplete crash data that did not meet the required threshold.
- Adequate sight distance at the intersection.
- Traffic volumes below federal minimums for adding stop control on Mary Street.
- A warning that an unwarranted four-way stop could potentially increase crashes.
And this is the part most people miss... MDT also noted that nearly all recent angle crashes involved northbound drivers failing to yield, and video footage captured at least one near-crash caused by a driver running the stop sign.
Additional upgrades under consideration include:
- Flashing LED lights on stop signs.
- "Stop Ahead" pavement markings.
- A speed-limit review on Mary Street east of Bitterroot.
- Noise-reducing alternatives to rumble strips (if warranted).
Long-term, more expensive solutions, such as an overhead beacon, new roadway lighting, or a traffic signal, would require further study and funding.
MDT also pointed out that the intersection's configuration might change once construction begins on the final segment of the Billings Bypass, expected in approximately five years.
For Amanda Rule, the new upgrades are a positive step, but she sees it as a work in progress. "I call it a win, but there will be more," she stated.
Work on the improvements is scheduled for the week of December 1–5.
What do you think about the planned changes? Do you believe they will be enough to solve the safety issues, or do you think more drastic measures are needed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
