Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana Department of Transportation Director Chris Dorrington joined agency staff in Helena on Tuesday, April 21, for a public event aimed at reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert, and follow the law in and around construction zones as summer road work ramps up across the state's 73,000 miles of roadways.

The event featured hands-on stations where attendees could see the equipment MDT crews use, including a crack sealing machine, a paver, a grader, front-end loaders, a street sweeper, and automated traffic control lights that the agency increasingly uses in place of human flaggers in certain situations. Montana Highway Patrol also participated, with a trooper explaining the state's "Move Over Montana" law, which took effect in 2023. Under that law, drivers must slow to a posted temporary speed limit in work zones, or reduce their speed by 20 mph if no temporary limit is posted.

Dorrington said he wants to see more driver education focused specifically on construction zone safety, particularly for younger drivers. "I think we're trying to push as much of the safety messages to the young drivers as you can," he said during the event.

With construction season beginning in earnest, MDT's message is aimed at reducing injuries to workers and motorists alike. Drivers in the Helena area who regularly travel Interstate 15 or U.S. Highway 12 corridors should expect work zones and associated speed reductions in the months ahead.