New Gore Hill Interchange Project Getting Closer in Great Falls

I lived on Gore Hill in Great Falls, Montana for a hot minute back in the early 1980's, and during that time, even as a kid, I knew the interchange at the airport was a weird one.

And occasionally, a dangerous one.

There have been some improvements through the years to help ease frustration, danger, and to try to help with traffic flow for the area.  While those have certainly helped, there are even more improvements coming to the I-15 interchange, and a public meeting will help residents learn more about the proposed new improvements.

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New Gore Hill Interchange Project Getting Closer in Great Falls

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) began a planning study in the area in 2015 with updated studies in 2019 and in 2024.  Those studies found several faults with the interchange, indicating updates to the following:

• Congestion and safety concerns due to high traffic volumes, especially during peak hours, and close intersection spacing.
• Limitations in current intersection designs to handle increasing airport, truck stop and other commercial truck traffic volumes.
• Merging conflicts with truck traffic on I-15 due to the short distance between the 10th Avenue South Interchange and the Gore Hill Interchange.

mdt.mt.gov

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New proposed changes at the busy interchange included some major changes to the area, which could severely impact traffic in the area for an extended amount of time.

1. An additional southbound lane will be added to 1-15 between the 10th Avenue South and Gore Hill interchanges. The lane will exit on to the southbound Gore Hill Interchange off-ramp.
2. Two single-lane roundabouts will be added at the 1-15 on- and off-ramp intersections on 31st Street Southwest and Airport Drive.
3. The 1-15 Gore Hill Interchange overpass bridge will be replaced. The new structure will be built to the east of the current overpass to keep the interchange open during construction. The new bridge will be wider and include a southbound left turn lane, shoulders, and a sidewalk.
4. A sidewalk will be added on the west side of 31st Street Southwest and Airport Drive, providing pedestrian access over the bridge and between the roundabouts.
5. The intersection of Tri Hill Frontage Road with 31st Street Southwest will be relocated to the south.
   The new bridge design and roundabouts will accommodate over-sized trucks through the intersections.

mdt.mt.gov

Department Will Hold Public Open House in July in Great Falls for Information

MDOT has announced a public open house in Great Falls for the proposed changes, set to begin in 2027.  The open house will be on July 23, 2026, at the Crystal Inn Hotel and Suites, 3701 31st Street Southwest, from 4 to 6 p.m.

mdt.mt.gov

The open house will help residents "learn about planned improvements to the I-15 Gore Hill Interchange (Exit 277) and how the project will reduce traffic delays, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety features."  The full scale of the project can be viewed here.