MISSOULA – The Van Buren Interchange project is getting close to completion now that two roundabouts are fully-functional.
“A couple weeks ago we were able to open the roundabouts there, still very much under construction as you can see. But the roundabouts are now open and functioning like they will when they are in their permanent state,” said Montana Department of Transportation District Construction Operations Engineer Donny Pfeifer. “Bear in mind, there is still some construction and signage and stuff out here. It seems like people are driving through them and responding to them pretty well.”
MDT took us through the roundabouts to demonstrate how to safely get through Missoula’s newest traffic feature.
“So as we enter into the roundabouts we want to slow down and look to our left, and that person exited so we are going to enter into the roundabout,” Pfeifer said as he drove one MTN reporter through one of the new Van Buren roundabouts.
“Staying in the driving lane and now that we are in the roundabout we have the right-of-way as we go through the circles here. We will stay here in the driving lane, like I said, on the left side here there is a mountable curb and an apron that’s designed for larger truck vehicles or trailer vehicles that might need to off track onto there. Go ahead and signal when we exit this roundabout and we enter into the middle of the Van Buren roundabout,” Pfeifer said.
Most construction for the project should be completed towards the end of October into the beginning of November with some landscaping work to follow.
MDT’s website has more information if you need any questions answered about a roundabout.
The website has different diagrams and videos to show proper roundabout techniques and if you still have questions you can call MDT for more information.
