Design plans are being finalized for the second phase of a project to repair a portion of Blue Slide Road that washed out earlier this year.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and construction contractor GSI are finalizing the design plans for the project. Once the plans are approved, construction can begin, according to Brandon Coates of consulting firm RBCI.

Coates said that work is expected to be completed this year, but will depend on weather.

A culvert at Cougar Creek, about 9 miles west of Thompson Falls on Blue Slide Road, failed in early May when snowmelt caused water and debris to rush down the mountainside. With the culvert blocked, water and dirt flooded the road and washed out dirt from under the road. The washout closed the road completely for several days. MDT worked quickly to stabilize the road and re-open it to traffic.

Bob Vosen with MDT said earlier this year that installing a new culvert will take four to six weeks. The new culvert, Vosen said, is bigger and aligns with the new location of the stream channel.

Brett Gustafson with GIS said that delays should be minimal, with single-lane closures during the project. However, in order to place the new culvert, the road will be closed for a stretch of 48-72 hours early in the project.

Coates said MDT will notify the public about construction and potential traffic impacts, prior to beginning work. To receive an email notification when construction begins text: BLUESLIDE to 22828 or email [email protected].