Interstate 90 reopens after landslide

MINERAL COUNTY - The cleanup of the landslide that closed Interstate 90 west for several hours on March 31 is progressing, but drivers in that area could still see some restrictions, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.

Although I-90 west of St. Regis is open, there is still two-way traffic where drivers will share some of the eastbound side of the highway while workers continue to cleanup where the incident occurred, said Steve Felix, maintenance chief for MDT.

“Wide loads are still restricted on I-90 west to 10 feet wide,” Felix said. “It will be a minimum of a month before the road is fully open.”

The landslide closed the interstate completely for some drivers’ morning commute forcing all traffic to exit at St. Regis where people had to bypass the area using other roads.

Felix said that the roadway itself suffered no damage and that MDT is seeking a way to prevent future landslides from occurring at this location.

“Engineers are working on a design on this area to prevent landslides, but it’s hard to do,” he said.