Work to improve Mill Creek Highway near Anaconda could begin spring 2027

History suggests Native American tribes relied on the pass at Mill Creek to travel the trail between what became known as the Big Hole Valley and Warm Springs, the latter featuring a significant geothermal landmark for many Indigenous peoples.

Anaconda resident Chris Marchion, right, talks to Therese Iwaniak of the Montana Department of Transportation during an open house in November 2025 in Anaconda about slated improvements to the Mill Creek Highway.

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is the state’s largest national forest by acreage. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness provides access to trails, vistas and mountain lakes. The Mill Creek Highway provides access to views like this one.

The long legs of this moose trio allow them to travel effectively through snow off the Mill Creek Highway near Anaconda. The Mill Creek area typically receives abundant snowfall, creating a maintenance headache for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.

Duncan Adams covers the environment, natural resources, Montana Tech and other beats for The Montana Standard. Reach him at (406) 496-5572 or [email protected]

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The Mill Creek Highway winds up and over a pass between Anaconda and the Big Hole Valley. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County was awarded a federal grant of $19.3 million to improve the stretch of road that includes this curve. Work could begin in spring 2027.

The long legs of this moose trio allow them to travel effectively through snow off the Mill Creek Highway near Anaconda. The Mill Creek area typically receives abundant snowfall, creating a maintenance headache for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is the state’s largest national forest by acreage. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness provides access to trails, vistas and mountain lakes. The Mill Creek Highway provides access to views like this one.

Anaconda resident Chris Marchion, right, talks to Therese Iwaniak of the Montana Department of Transportation during an open house in November 2025 in Anaconda about slated improvements to the Mill Creek Highway.

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