United front: Montana cities join others for big infrastructure lobbying push

When serious structural problems were discovered on two interchange bridges for Interstates 15-90 in Butte, state transportation officials scrambled to reroute semis and get immediate repair work under way.

The "emergency" fix that started in September lasted into December, traffic was rerouted onto detour ramps for weeks, and the taxpayer tab for the repairs will be about $3 million.

None of that surprises state Sen. Jeff Welborn, a Republican from Dillon who watched legislation to steer tens of millions of dollars to roads, sewers and water systems die in the final days of the 2013 and 2015 sessions. A plan failed by a single vote last time but blame was widespread.

Mike Smith [email protected]

Full Story: http://mtstandard.com/news/local/united-front-cities-join-others-for-big-infrastructure-lobbying-push/article_b58cf8fe-ea1e-5a42-bf7e-970035dd688a.html