Happy Holidays - Explore Big Sky

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8 December 24, 2010 MOnTana HigHWay 191 OPen TO CommerCiaL TruCking By kiM THieLMan-iBeS After a two-year hiatus, commercial truck traffic is again permitted on Highway 191. The Montana Department of Transportation elected to prohibit semi trucks during a highway improvement project, which began on June 2008 and ended July 2010. Lori Ryan, Montana DOT public information officer, explains that because Highway 191 is a federal aid highway, it would violate both state and federal laws to indefinitely restrict truck traffic. Today, commercial truckers account for approximately 9.42% of Highway 191 traffic, roughly the same percentage as they were before the 2008-2010 construction restriction. The highway construction project was funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and cost about 12 million dollars. The construction aimed to improve public safety for drivers in Gallatin Canyon and included such projects as adding turn lanes for Highway 64 going to Big Sky, replacing two bridges (the Jack Smith and West Fork), widening shoulders, flattening slopes and installing new guard rails. Initially, commercial trucks delivering to Big Sky were rerouted to Highway 287 through Ennis. This created a hardship for Montana companies like Bozeman’s Coun- try Classic Dairies. “I had trucks making deliveries to West Yellowstone and Big Sky,” says Burt Smith, Transportation Manager of Country Classic Dairies. “It took my drivers 80 miles out of their way. In the milk business, where we’re operating on pennies and our delivery cost is $1.90/mile, it really adds up.” Highway 191 is one of three major north-south commercial truck routes through Southwest Montana, including Highway 287 through Ennis and Interstate 15 south of Butte. Commercial truckers in Southeastern Montana with southern routes prefer Highway 191 for two reasons: economics and safety. Agricultural Express Trucking out of Billings uses Highway 191 for their southbound deliveries to Idaho, California and Utah because the road is maintained, remains open during the winter months and saves them miles and time. High winds plague 287 and Interstate 15 resulting in the closure of Monida Pass, and drivers there also contend with significant animal traffic. “We use the most efficient and practical route,” says Barry Stang, Executive Vice President of Motor Carriers Montana. “Closing one of these three routes would put more pressure on other communities as it did when Highway 191 was closed and carriers were routed through Ennis. It’s a matter of shifting responsibility from one community to another, and it’s why we advocate keeping all roads open that we pay taxes on to build and move goods across Montana and the country.” The latest numbers from the Montana Transportation Research Institute show that in 2008 the Montana trucking industry employed one in 16 residents and paid more than $301 million in federal and state roadway taxes and fees, equivalent to 55% of all taxes and fees owed by Montana motorists, who represent about 12% of vehicle miles traveled in the state. Highway 191 is the gateway to skiing, hiking, fishing and resort living. Local businesses also felt severe economic hardship with the closing of Highway 191 to commercial trucking. “During construction it wasn’t just commercial traffic that was diverted,” says Marne Hayes, Executive Director of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce. Big Sky Weekly Devon White, co-owner and operator of the Corral Bar and Saloon is very happy to see the construction project completed and commercial traffic back on Highway 191. “Road construction ruined us for three summers,” says White, “I was glad to see the trucks back because they brought all the traffic with them and we do a bit of business with the truckers.” Hayes notes there is some concern about truck traffic on 191 from a safety perspective, but she’s heard more from businesses about dropping the speed limit to less than 50 miles per hour through Big Sky. Thanks to the efforts of a local Big Sky group in the mid-1980s, DOT placarded hazardous materials are restricted on Highway 191 unless permitted for local deliveries. “No matter how you stack it, nobody enjoys living close to a two-lane highway, but the safety improvements that have been made are a benefit to all,” says Michael More, who lives a third of a mile off Highway 191 and serves as the House District 70 representative. “The common sense reality is that it’s essential for interstate commerce, and it’s part of life in the rural countryside.”
By LinDa keLLy exPLORe Big Sky offerS LifeTime oPPorTuniTieS for Wounded WarriorS upcoming program needs support as more veterans sign up for Operation SaS Wounded veterans injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming to town. Mark your calendars for a banquet in Big Sky that you will not want to miss. Country music artist Lee Greenwood will emcee the event, and special guests will include Senator Jon Tester and Montana Lt. Governor John Bohlinger. January 7-11, Operation SAS will offer “Sports, Afield and Stream” opportunities to warriors from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with physical and/or invisible wounds. Through outdoor recreation in Montana, veterans from around the country will be introduced to new passions, skills, thrills, comforts and even new purpose. Operation Never Forgotten (ONF) hosts this five-day rebound program. ONF is a 100 percent volunteer-supported creates national awareness campaigns for deployed troops, wounded warriors, fallen heroes, military families and organizations supporting them. As this popular event for wounded warriors rapidly approaches, an overwhelming number of Purple Heart recipients have inquired about attending. However, there have only been enough sponsors to pay for 20 percent of these attendees. Interested veterans include amputees, visually impaired, partially paralyzed, severely burned, brain injured or those with post-traumatic stress syndrome. All proceeds go directly to these wounded warriors. So many disabled veterans are still athletes. For many, this exposure to new ways of doing things can help them enjoy better lives. The explosions or bullets that changed their lives may have created limitations, but so many of these wounded warriors still want to hunt, fish, do outdoor sports, learn new skills and take on new challenges. Operation SAS can help them do those things. These well-trained men and women have been our defenders, laying their lives on the line to protect our freedom and privileges. Even after traumatic injuries, they’re still brave and honorable. We can never repay them for their sacrifices, but we can help by bringing them to Big Sky where they can redefine their perceptions of what is possible. The banquet Friday, January 7 at Big Sky Resort is open to the public. The evening includes an elk and trout buffet, presentations from world-class mountaineers and athletes, a great auction, stand-up comedians, prizes and special guests. Banquet tickets AUTHENTIC THAI & ASIAN CUISINE Open for the Winter Season Come try our NEW Halibut and Banana Curry! Takeout available 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. nightly Please call early to place your takeout order so we may best accomodate Big Sky Weekly are sold online or at local participating outlets for $58 ($45 for Veterans). Sponsor’s tables are $500 and seat eight. The social starts at 5 p.m. For four days following the banquet, warrior guests and assistants/companions will participate in hunting and fishing workshops, ice climbing, skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, archery, mountain yurt dinners, sleigh rides and winter Yellowstone tours. Come to the banquet for fun, excitement and to support wounded warriors. For more information about volunteering or contributing, visit operationsas.org or contact Linda Kelly at mailto:linda@operationnf.org or (406) 581-8358. Banquet tickets are available online or at: American Legion (Downtown Main, Bozeman); Residence Inn by Marriott (6195 E. Valley Center, Bozeman); GranTree Inn (1325 North 7th, Bozeman); Montana Travel (1102 West Babcock, Bozeman); Montana Troutfitters (1716 W. Main, Bozeman); Yellowstone Gateway Sports (21 Forkhorn, Four Corners); Prolite Gear (421 West Griffin #1, Bozeman); Hungry Moose Market & Deli (209 Aspen Leaf Drive, Big Sky); or Big Sky Resort 3090 Pine Drive #2, Big Sky 406-995-2728 December 24, 2010 9
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Page 37 and 38: Big Sky L I M I T E D AD SPACE A V
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