Glacier Country News

City Street Maintenance Division crews will begin milling out old, damaged asphalt along Mount Ave. from Park St. to Higgins Ave. on Monday, April 15. They will then fill in those areas with new asphalt to help improve and preserve the street surface. The Streets Division asks that residents along Mount Avenue do not park their vehicles on the street during the work hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Local access will be available for homes and businesses along the route.

According to a City of Missoula spokesperson, completing intermittent pavement repair projects such as this helps preserve the street infrastructure by fixing damaged areas that allow water to seep into and under the pavement. Water damages the street below the surface, especially in the winter when the water goes through freeze and thaw phases, causing the asphalt to break up and results in potholes and other damage to the street.

The spokesperson added, "Making these repairs now will extend the pavement’s life significantly and delays more expensive total reconstruction work in the future."

Drivers and bicyclists are advised to use caution and watch for detour signs as there will be intermittent detours around the work area. The City suggests choosing a different route when possible.

Work on the project is expected to be completed the following week, but this date is subject to change due to inclement weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. For more information and project updates, residents are encouraged to visit the City of Missoula's website at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/2681/Street-Maintenance-Projects.