MDT recommends change to speed limit east of Lincoln

In a surprisingly swift response to the request for a speed study on Highway 200 east of Lincoln, the Montana Department of Transportation is proposing to reduce speeds east of Lincoln, past Sculpture in the Wild and the Lincoln Ranger Station complex.

Based on the traffic operation, they are recommending a modification of the speed zones on the east end of Lincoln to include a new nearly mile-long 60 mph speed zone that will extend east to the intersection with Airport Road. The recommendation does not include any changes to the passing zone.

According to a Sept. 22 memorandum sent from traffic operations engineer Stan Brelin to Great Falls District Administrator Jim Wingerter, "The Sculpture in the Wild Park is attracting motorists as evidenced both by information submitted by the community and on-site observations. It is an extension of the community of Lincoln."

Brelin noted the speed profile indicates traffic operates at speeds of less than 70 mph between the start of the 70mph zone and the Sculpture in the Wild and Forest Service entrances, but that speeds were greater than 70 mph beyond the intersection with Airport Road.

In addition to recent speed surveys, the recommendation draws on crash and citation data gathered between June, 2017 to May, 2020. During that time there were three reported vehicle crashes east of Lincoln: two angle crashes and one animal crash.

The data doesn't include any data from this last summer, nor does it include unreported slide-offs or near misses, which by local accounts are a more common occurrence.

In the same period, 11 of the 18 citations issued by the Montana Highway Patrol in the Lincoln area were for speeding. Eight of those were in the 70 mph zone.

Lewis and Clark County has a 60-day window to comment on the recommendation. Anyone who would like to provide input to the county can attend the Upper Blackfoot Valley Community Council meeting at 6 p.m., Oct. 20 at the Lincoln Library or contact the Board of County commissioners at 406-447-8304

The county requested the speed study in early September due to concerns about the potential for accidents in the area, with the increase in visits to Sculpture in the Wild and the Ranger Station in recent years. Speed studies typically take between eight and 12 months to complete.