Interim speed limit to be introduced on Highway 200

An interim speed limit reduction will be taking place on Highway 200 between mile markers 56 to 59.

According to Laurie Ryan, the Public Information Officer for the Montana Department of Transportation, the Transportation Commission approved the speed limit reduction on March 28.

The long process started back in October, after the Sanders County Board of Commissioners wrote to MDOT of their concerns with the growing number of bighorn sheep killed on Highway 200 between Plains and Thompson Falls.

According to the paperwork, the commissioners were concerned “with the population data from the Montana FWP showing the bighorn sheep population getting dangerously low which lowers the permits for hunting and lowers the viewing opportunities of residents and tourists alike.”

In the 9-mile section, 403 bighorn sheep have been killed along the highway since 1985. Within those statistics lay two one-mile sections that result in 53 percent of the mortalities: between mile marker 58 to 59 and from mile marker 64 to 65.

Noting in the documents that fencing and underpasses are too expensive of an option, the commissioners gave MDOT a list over other lower cost options.

The Board of Commissioners requested a speed limit study to be done along the southeast area of Thompson Falls along the highway, hoping to see a speed limit reduction to preferably 55 mph or less.

According to Commissioner for District One, Carol Brooker, the concern of the bighorn sheep mortalities as well as the safety of the commuters on the highway played a large role in reaching out to MDOT.

Ryan seconded the concern stating the MDOT “wants to make sure the traveling public is safe in that area and in turn reduce the mortality rate of big horn sheep along that stretch.”

The commissioners also asked of adding an unpleasant scent or flavor to liquid deicer that is currently used on the highway to keep the sheep from licking the roadways - another precaution MDOT agreed to.

They also suggested offering straight sand in problem areas to help keep sheep off the road, place salt blocks in certain areas to deter sheep from traveling on roadways, continue the use of the electronic reader boards warning commuters of sheep on the road and also asked MDOT to consider a reconstruction project in the bighorn sheep habitat with a “no seeding” plan and design of the road shoulders leading to less vegetation on the side of roadways.

At the time of press, dates of when the speed reduction were to take place were unavailable.