Montana and Wyoming Departments of Transportation to Temporarily Close I-90 For Aerial Weed Spraying

Montana Department of Transportation press release

Southeastern Montana - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in partnership with Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), Sheridan County Weed and Pest (SCWP), Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Montana Highway Patrol (MHP), will close Interstate 90 (I-90) at Wyola, Montana Exit 544 to the Acme, Wyoming Exit 14, to perform aerial weed spraying targeting ventenata and medusahead.

A detour will be in place for about eight hours starting Monday, October 7, at 7 a.m. (weather and other unforeseen factors permitting) with Tuesday, October 8, as an additional date if needed. I-90 will open once spraying is completed.

Traffic will be detoured via Montana Highway 451 (MT 451) and Wyoming Highway 345 (WYO 345). A 12-foot width restriction will be in place.

All exits along I-90 within the project area will be closed to traffic during spraying operations.

Ventenata and medusahead are invasive grasses that damage native grasses. Livestock and wildlife will not graze ventenata or medusahead. I-90 near the Montana/Wyoming border has a severe infestation of both weeds with the risk of seed spread throughout both states.

In total, 97 acres of right-of-way in Montana will be treated, as well as 840 acres of right-of-way in Wyoming.

The public is encouraged to contact Billings District Maintenance Chief Walt Houghton at 406-657-0217 with questions or comments about the project.