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Public Works Committee holds trail-tunnel issue after MDT responsibility remains unclear
Summary
At its Sept. 24 meeting the Public Works Committee held a discussion about repeated flooding and contamination in the walking-trail tunnel under Harrison Avenue and agreed to keep the item on the docket until Public Works Director Mark Neary can provide the results of a meeting with MDT.
BUTTE-SILVER BOW, Mont. — The Public Works Committee held discussion Sept. 24 about repeated flooding and possible contamination in the walking-trail tunnel under Harrison Avenue, and agreed to hold the item until Public Works Director Mark Neary reports back on a meeting with MDT.
Commissioner Michelle Shade, District 2, told the committee that ‘‘they are still working with the state about who is responsible’’ for the tunnel and that ‘‘there was a lot of water backup in there again in the last couple weeks.’’ She said she had not confirmed whether crews had used a pump truck to remove the water.
The issue drew concern about public health and safety. Commissioner Trudy Healy asked whether the standing water could be a health issue, saying parents have reported children running down the ramp and that she had heard reports of dead fish and garbage in the tunnel. Commissioner Dan Callahan said Director Neary was expected to follow up after meeting with MDT but that Neary was not in attendance that night.
After discussion, Healy moved to hold Communication 202-4544 pending Director Neary’s update; Callahan seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote and the item will remain on the committee docket.
The committee did not adopt or assign any enforcement action at the meeting. Members asked staff to return with a status update from Director Neary about MDT’s determination of responsibility, and with information about recent pumping or cleanup efforts.
Background: Committee members said MDT is involved in determining responsibility for the tunnel; the committee did not state any change to jurisdiction or immediate capital work at the meeting. Director Neary was noted as absent and expected to report at a future meeting.
What happens next: The item is held for a future meeting when Director Neary provides the result of his meeting with MDT and any recommended next steps.
