Red Lodge to Boyd: Highway 212 Reconstruction/Rehabilitation

5 PROJECTS: 21 MILES OF HIGHWAY 212 

Since 2009, Sanderson Stewart’s DOT Group has been providing critical reconstruction/rehabilitation design of the Highway 212 corridor from Red Lodge, Montana to Boyd, Montana for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). A popular route for tourists and residents alike, the Highway 212 corridor is a busy one and improved safety of the facility is of paramount concern to MDT. The work has included 5 projects along the corridor, including: Red Lodge – 8th – Robinson – 2MI – UPN 4375005, Red Lodge – Robinson – 2MI – UPN 4375006, Red Lodge – Roberts – UPN 4375002, Roberts – UPN 4375003, and Roberts – Boyd – UPN 4375004. Each project is in various states of completion, from design to construction.

AS PRIME CONSULTANT, SANDERSON STEWART HAS PROVIDED ROAD DESIGN, TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, RIGHT-OF-WAY DESIGN & PLANS, PS&E, COMPLEX DRAINAGE DESIGN, PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT, AND RE-EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.

As prime consultant, Sanderson Stewart’s work on these 5 projects has included the following design elements: two-way left-turn lane, curb and gutter and new storm drain, sidewalk and multi-use path, two roundabouts, shoulder widening, bus turnaround, passing lanes, alignment shifts, drainage/PESC, substantial irrigation, slide debris containment berm, substantial right-of-way (R/W), new access control, significant public involvement efforts, flood diversion berm, and new outfalls to Rock Creek, intersection realignments, school zone improvements, and guardrail ITS features.

The right-of-way negotiations process has been challenging due to alignment shifts and disputes over abandoned railroad ownership. 

The DOT Group continues to solve project challenges as they arise. Notable project challenges have included: an extensive public involvement process, sequencing construction to minimize disruption, substantial landscaping coordination with local agency and landowners, a complex drainage system, significant utilities coordination, tremendous irrigation facilities, Environmental Assessment re-evaluation, complex right-of-way design, access control, permitting efforts, high water table, and use of mill/fill and pavement pulverization to reduce costs. Road widening over compressible soils required subgrade stabilization and use of CTB; the complex drainage design required oversized ditches.  The team also developed a system to intercept and direct the overland flows to Rock Creek before entering Roberts, Montana due to historic flooding. The DOT Group also developed new passing lanes, creek crossings, dealt with extensive wetlands, earthwork balance, impacts to environmental and cultural resources, and intersection improvements.