Highway 287 Rest Stop Opens Without Fanfare
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
The Headwaters Rest Area near Three Forks on US Highway 287 opened Friday promptly at 9 a.m. Friday. A maintenance person reminded people who stopped by early that the facility would not open before 9:00 a.m. The facility was soon busy with cars and semis parked and people visiting the site.
The well-appointed rest area features reader boards explaining the history of the surrounding area. Three single bathrooms each serve the men’s and women’s areas. Each area has an American Disabilities Act (ADA) restroom. Picnic tables for visitors’ use are protected from the wind and a designated animal area is well-marked.
According to a January 31 email from Lisa Olmsted, public involvement manager for the Montana Department of Transportation, the facility, the first of its kind in Montana, has a law enforcement office space for use by Broadwater County Sheriff’s Department, Montana Highway Patrol and Motor Carrier Services employees. The facility will better serve the southern end of Broadwater County.
Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser said in an email he was waiting to hear from MDOT about the use of the office space. If a memorandum of understanding between the county and MDOT is in place, he plans to use the office for his deputy to conduct interviews and write reports. His office does not plan to man the office 24/7.
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, Staff Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Highway 287 Rest Stop near the I90 junction opened Friday.
Nancy Marks, Staff Photographer
Image 2 Caption: Highway 287 Rest Stop near Wheatland Road and Interstate 90 junction.
Nancy Marks, Staff Photographer
Image 3 Caption: Highway 287 Reader board which gives history of the Three Forks area.
Nancy Marks, Staff Photographer
