Troublesome intersection focus of improvement efforts

By Justin Post, of The Montana Standard - 12/19/2007

The intersection at Mercury and Arizona is dangerous and confusing, according to local officials.

Those safety concerns have prompted Butte leaders to prioritize the area for a realignment project.

They are asking the Montana Highway Commission for permission to use a portion of the urban money it receives in the coming years for the project.

Butte-Silver Bow receives about $700,000 in urban money each year from the Montana Department of Transportation.

More than $3 million in disbursements is scheduled to pay for extending Dewey Boulevard and to improve drainage and surface issues on Daly Street in Walkerville, said planning director Jon Sesso.

Mercury Street would be the next project to receive money through the state’s urban program if approved by the highway commission, he said.

The Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners unanimously agreed to prioritize the Mercury Street project, which includes rebuilding the intersection at Arizona and Mercury and other improvements from Continental Drive to Montana Street.

The corridor has shown signs of improvements in recent years, and Sesso hopes private property owners continue investing in the area.

It’s too early to determine how much the intersection project will cost, or how much the local government will contribute to the project, Sesso said.

Reporter Justin Post may be reached via e-mail at Justin.post@lee.net.