Commuters on U.S. 93 west of Whitefish will have to press their luck next month as blasting work is expected to halt traffic for up to an hour each day.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 3, drilling and rock blasting will take place daily on the U.S. 93 corridor near Spencer Lake between mile markers 130 and 131 and on Antler Ridge Road, according to a news release from the Montana Department of Transportation.

The work will occur once per day between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with closures lasting 30 to 60 minutes while crews blast and remove rock and conduct safety checks. The highway will reopen once debris is cleared and the area is deemed safe for motorists, officials said.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Bob Vosen, Missoula District administrator for the transportation department. “These blasting operations are an important step in the realignment and reconstruction of U.S. 93. We recognize traffic delays can be frustrating, and we greatly appreciate the public’s patience as we complete work that will enhance this corridor’s safety and efficiency for years to come.”

The work corridor begins near the intersection with Mountainside Drive and extends about 3 miles west, just past Livermore Flats.

The U.S. 93 West project includes a new driving surface, designated turn lanes, guardrail, wider shoulders, new signage and a separated shared-use path with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant handrails and detectable warning devices.

Tree clearing began in the spring, followed by earthmoving operations in June. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2026.

To receive text updates, text 93WESTWHITEFISH to 41411. For email updates or questions, contact Dawn May at [email protected] or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484 during business hours.