An effort to limit the impact of increasing tractor trailer traffic in the Madison and Gallatin Valleys is underway, spearheaded by the Citizen’s Road Alliance (formerly Preserve Our Valleys). Residents are well aware of this upsurge on Highways 287, 87, 84 and 191 and the dangers posed to drivers, wildlife, and the environment. Recent semi accidents on Highways 287 and 84 illustrate the threat. The trailer that overturned due to a “shift in the load” was hauling minerals, but the potential for a hazardous waste accident is made evident by this mishap.

Efforts to curb the tractor trailer thru traffic date back to 2009 when the Montana Department of Transportation Director, Jim Lynch, told a community meeting in Ennis that truck traffic in the valley was on the increase and that no plan existed to limit its effect on resident’s quality of life. The community provided data showing minimal time and fuel differences for trucks using I-15 and I-90 as their Idaho Falls to Bozeman routes, with no response from the agency.

In 2010, Governor Sweitzer and Mr Lynch sent a letter to Preserve Our Valleys outlining several improvements, including increased patrols and more truck speed signs. To date, residents have not witnessed these changes. The Governor and Mr Lynch also stated that the MDOT supported the Western Governors Association’s proposal to encourage trucks to use the interstate system by allowing heavier loads.

In 2011, MDOT’s attorney wrote the organization that a study was planned to determine if 84 was safe for semi traffic and confirmed “high commercial vehicle crash and severity rates” in this road. The Western Transportation Institute at MSU and the Craighead Institute in Bozeman initiated a study to determine the effects of wildlife/vehicle collisions on wildlife habitats, confirming the scientific community’s concern.

In October of this year, members of the Citizens Road Alliance (CRA) met with Mike Toomey, the current Director of the MDOT. The CRA proposed that Highways 287, 87, 84 and 191 be designated “Red Routes”, a classification which limits the types of hazardous waste which can be routed through the valley and reduces the hours that wildlife is exposed to crossing accidents, by restricting dusk to dawn truck traffic.

The CRA will begin soliciting the support of the business, environmental and tourism organizations to bolster our efforts, along with the help of local residents. We welcome not only your observations and suggestions, but your willingness to join with us.

The CRA will continue the effort to limit the threat to our quality of life that the long haul tractor trailers increasingly pose to the residents, tourists and wildlife in our beautiful valleys. If you would like to comment or join with us, please contact us at info@citizensroadalliance.com.