"North meets south roundabout here," U.S. Sen. Max Baucus said as he stood at the new South Helena Interchange -- which includes a circular intersection of three streets and the overpass, a feature meant to ease traffic flows and reduce vehicle emissions.

About a dozen dignitaries cut the ribbon on the Queen City's third interstate access Tuesday, opening the new interchange to vehicle traffic shortly after an 11 a.m. ceremony.

The $10.3 million project should ease rush-hour traffic at the Capitol Interchange, providing a new option for commuters traveling from Jefferson County to work in Helena.

The Montana Department of Transportation now will turn its attention northward, with work to reconfigure the Capitol Interchange set to go out for bids in 2009 and a fourth interchange at Custer Avenue tentatively slated for construction in 2011.

The South Interchange work was a model of collaboration, with local, state and federal officials teaming up with private developers to design and build the interchange.

Baucus secured a $10 million earmark for Interstate 15 improvements through Helena. About $3.5 million was used for the new interchange. The rest will go toward additional work, including construction of the Custer Avenue Interchange.

The city of Helena joined Lewis and Clark County, Jefferson County and a pair of development corporations on either side of the interstate in donating right-of-way needed for the construction. Investors behind the Nob Hill and Padbury Ranch developments anted up about $1 million to pay for the engineering work.

"This is a great day and it's all about collaboration," Gov. Brian Schweitzer said.

He called Baucus' funding a "real delivery for the state of Montana."

Baucus, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, said he works to get Montana "more than our fair share of highway dollars."

"To compete in this century, we have to have the best infrastructure possible," he added.

MDT Director Jim Lynch said the South Helena Interchange was one of the first projects on his desk when he was appointed in 2005. He commended the work of Baucus and local officials and developers, who ensured the project was quickly completed.

Up next

MDT plans safety improvements at the Capitol Interchange. The $2.2 million project will add an additional lane to the southbound on-ramp and add a reconfigured off-ramp for northbound traffic.

Westbound drivers on Highway 12 sometimes face a dicey task turning left to head toward Montana City on the interstate. Vehicles must cross two lanes and quickly merge into one lane on the off-ramp -- the same lane used by folks exiting from eastbound traffic on Highway 12.

"It's not always easy," MDT spokeswoman Charity Watt Levis said.

With two lanes on the on-ramp, it should be easier for westbound drivers to turn south, she said.

Northbound traffic on the interstate exiting onto westbound Highway 12 now must merge into the same cloverleaf used by traffic entering the interstate.

MDT plans to remove the loop and expand the exit now designated for Townsend traffic. The improvement will give exiting motorists a straight shot off the interstate, and a new signal will ease traffic onto Highway 12.

"It'll be a lot like where you come off the interstate at Cedar," Levis said. "You won't be darting around traffic that's trying to get on the interstate while you're trying to get off."

Reporter Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com.