Making a better community means construction and lots of it - This is an update from JTL Group on the Downtown construction to keep you informed. Credits below.

BOZEMAN— Pleasant weather has settled in around Bozeman. As a result, the Main Street Makeover project has been making steady progress and the attractive new look is starting to emerge as intersections at Willson, Grand, Black and Tracy have reopened.

As work is completed and continues to move east along Main Street, downtown sightseers and shoppers are able to use the new handicapped access ramps and colored concrete crosswalks. The other features of the Makeover still to come include new road surface on Main Street and traffic signals.

All businesses remain open and fully accessible to pedestrians, parking is still available and pedestrian traffic is open, except for a few areas in fenced work zones.

Comments from the public at the weekly update meetings remain positive.

“Keeping Wallace open is excellent,” said Gary Gullickson from Heeb’s East Main Grocery. “We’ve had no customer complaints.”

Debbie Arkeel, a City of Bozeman representative, added, “There seems to be a lot of pedestrian traffic downtown and it appears to be moving quite well.”

“We appreciate the feedback we’ve gotten from both business owners and pedestrians,” said Jackie Flikkema, project manager for JTL Group of Belgrade. “Comments have been overwhelmingly positive. We appreciate that support from our community.”

Traffic in Main Street work zones is still moving along one lane traveling in each direction. The speed limit in this area is 25 mph. Drivers should remember that fines double in work areas and to take extra precautions while passing through the construction zone. Safe driving practices including slowing down, taking extra care to watch carefully for workers and yielding to all pedestrians in or approaching crosswalks.

Directional signing continues to be used at closed intersections. Until new traffic lights are up and working, stop signs will be installed at affected intersections. Vehicles will not be able to make left hand turns onto Main at those intersections. When Rouse closes, the traffic signal at the intersection will be shut down so drivers are urged to watch for pedestrians crossing there. The signal at Wallace will continue to operate.

There will continue to be occasional city and other construction company projects that also impact traffic in downtown Bozeman. All these projects are temporary and unrelated to the Main Street Makeover.

Please listen for updates on traffic control plans.

Companies involved with bringing the attractive new look to downtown Bozeman include JTL Group of Belgrade, Montana Lines and Bridger Signing and Supply, responsible for coordinating traffic control signs for the project.

Construction will take a hiatus during the Sweet Pea Festival and Bite of Bozeman.

Weekly progress meetings are held at 9 a.m. in the City Center Best Western at 507 W. Main in Bozeman (Bridger Room). Thanks to the Downtown Bozeman Partnership and Heeb’s for providing beverages and snacks each week. The public is invited to bring any questions or concerns to these meetings.

Project updates will be also be published weekly in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and circulated to other news sources. For more information or answers to specific questions, visit www.jtlbelgrade.com or call Jackie Flikkema at (406) 388-4035, ext. 103.

Special Thanks to the City of Bozeman website and JTL Group of Belgrade for the updates on road construction in the Gallatin Valley.