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MDT recommends 30 mph urban zone on US 2 and a 55 mph transition on North Fork Road
Summary
Montana Department of Transportation recommended combining 25/35 zones into a 30 mph urban limit on US 2 in Columbia Falls and adding a 55 mph transitional zone on North Fork Road to soften a current 45→70 mph step; MDT asked county and city for comments within 60 days.
The Montana Department of Transportation presented two speed‑study recommendations to the Flathead County Commission on April 7. Rebecca Anderson, MDT district traffic engineer, said the US 2 study (MP 136–139) supports (1) no change to the rural 45/55 county zones and (2) combining the city’s 25/35 zones into a single 30 mph urban zone to better match observed driver behavior and the NCHRP recommended procedure.
On North Fork Road (Secondary 486), MDT found the prevailing speeds on the 70‑mph rural section match the posted limit, but the current abrupt transition from 70 to 45 mph at the urban fringe contributes to drivers failing to slow safely. MDT recommended creating a new 55‑mph transitional zone about 2,700 feet north of the existing 45 zone so the step down occurs in smaller increments and reduces abrupt speed changes.
Anderson said crash history and spot‑speed samples were considered alongside NCHRP guidance; MDT asked the county and city to submit written comments within 60 days and noted the Transportation Commission will make the final decision.
Commissioners expressed support for the proposed North Fork transition and asked county staff to file a comment letter for the county portion of the studies.
