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Montana Transportation Commission approves six construction awards including $48.68 million Lookout Pass East
Summary
The Montana Transportation Commission on Jan. 27 approved staff-recommended awards for six projects totaling about $70.84 million, including a $48.68 million contract for Lookout Pass East; the Commission also approved an award recommendation memo for UPN 10276001 and routine minutes.
The Montana Transportation Commission on Jan. 27 voted unanimously to award six construction contracts presented by Montana Department of Transportation staff, approving low bids for projects across the state.
MDT staff member Dave Gates presented the Jan. 15, 2026 letting and recommended awards for Calls 101–106. The largest award was Call 101, Lookout Pass — East (UPN 9487001), a Missoula-area project scheduled for 320 working days with a low bid of $48,680,000 from Knife River Corporation — Mountain West. Other approved low bids included Call 102 (Choteau — South, UPN 9343000), a 180-working-day Great Falls project at $17,597,869 from M.A. Deatley Construction, Inc.; Call 103 (Wyoming Line — North, UPN 10221000), Billings area, $2,969,462.70 from Riverside Contracting, Inc.; Call 104 (Vail Creek — 2M N Jordan, UPN 9779000), Glendive, $1,066,402.73 from TCA Group Inc.; Call 105 (Sidewalks Phase II — Whitehall, UPN 10447000), Butte area, $387,109.10 from Hoffmans R & M Services, LLC; and Call 106 (SF 179 Curves south of Roscoe, UPN 9599000), Billings area, $140,443.80 from Montana Lines, Inc. — GFLS. The six awarded low bids total approximately $70,841,287.33.
"Commissioner Noel Sansaver moved to approve call numbers 101-106 as recommended by staff. Commissioner Kody Swartz seconded the motion, and all Commissioners voted aye," the transcript records. The motion formally authorized staff to proceed with awarding the contracts to the bidders presented.
Separately, the Commission approved an award recommendation memo for UPN 10276001 (DAR CP1). Commissioner Scott Aspenlieder moved to approve the memo; Commissioner Noel Sansaver seconded, and the Commission voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation.
Why it matters: The awards authorize construction and procurement work on multiple state highway and local-access projects, allocating more than $70 million in construction contracts and advancing several safety and mobility projects in multiple districts. The approvals allow MDT to enter into contracts with the listed contractors and begin project scheduling and notices to proceed.
Votes at a glance: Commissioner Noel Sansaver moved to approve Calls 101–106; Commissioner Kody Swartz seconded; outcome — approved, unanimous. Commissioner Scott Aspenlieder moved to approve the Dec. 11, 2025 minutes; Commissioner Shane Sanders seconded; outcome — approved, unanimous. Commissioner Aspenlieder moved to approve the UPN 10276001 award memo; Commissioner Sansaver seconded; outcome — approved, unanimous.
The Commission took no further formal action on other agenda items during the meeting and adjourned at 9:23 a.m.
