Detour Time – Northwestern Energy Doing Upgrades in Great Falls

There are quite a few signs that springtime has arrived across Montana.  Flowers begin to break the ground and sprout; golf clubs get cleaned and the familiar orange cones and buckets start to appear on streets and highways.

via GIPHY

Yep, it is construction season in the state, and the gas pipelines of Great Falls are getting a small update in areas that haven't been touched in nearly 80 years.  That means a little disruption in traffic for the next few months with Northwestern Energy.

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Detour Time - Northwestern Energy Doing Upgrades in Great Falls

Over the past year, Northwestern Energy has been upgrading outdated natural gas lines throughout Great Falls.  My neighborhood was one of those that received new pipes this past summer as part of the ongoing project.

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The company is now moving into more industrial and business sectors within city to do upgrades on lines that haven't been seen since 1949 when they were first installed.  The project with Northwestern Energy is "part of our ongoing work to strengthen the safety and reliability of natural gas service in Great Falls."

Expect Detours and Delays in This Area in Great Falls into June

Beginning on April 8, 2026, Northwestern Energy will begin upgrading a natural gas pipeline along 5th Street from 2nd Avenue North to 2nd Avenue South.  The area is expected to be under construction until early June.

In the press release for the project, Northwestern Energy stated that "traffic will be detoured around the work area, and we ask drivers and pedestrians to watch for posted signs and barricades. Customers who may experience brief, temporary service interruptions will be notified directly".  For more information on the upgrades, contact the Community Relations Manager at 406-454-7169.