County moves forward with MDT on Mill Creek Highway reconstruction, staff cites large federal grant

County planning and public works staff presented an agreement with the Montana Department of Transportation to advance design and prepare bidding documents for a Mill Creek Highway reconstruction project funded through a large federal grant.

“This is in regards to the Mill Creek Highway reconstruction project,” Carl said, describing that MDT is nearly wrapped on phase 1 and that the county originally received a federal grant that has been administered by MDT. He said the project has roughly a 30% design completed and noted the need to develop a preferred alternative for rerouting S‑curves and associated drainage and grading improvements. Carl described the project as a “massive federal grant” and said MDT is better positioned to administer the grant and the associated administrative requirements.

County leadership recommended authorizing up to $20,000 as a placeholder in case of potential overruns so MDT can proceed with bidding. CEO Everett said the county negotiated from a position of strength and emphasized that the placeholder amount is immaterial on a multi‑million‑dollar project: “I says, yeah, $20,000 on a $22,000,000 job,” he said, noting the figure was proposed principally to put parameters around potential overrun conversations.

Commissioners and staff discussed the long timeline and rising construction costs; one commissioner urged speed to avoid further price increases. After discussion the item was placed on the agenda for action; the transcript excerpt does not show a final recorded vote.