Residents often bear burden of road maintenance

Martinez Gulch Road in Montana City is a neighborhood street. It also provides access to a place called “The Top of the World.” 

“The Top of the World,” with its sweeping view of the Helena Valley, attracts mountain bikers and others, who are often dropped off by a Helena-based shuttle, as well as those who travel to and from the area at all hours of the day and night. Some of those visitors have left behind campfires, drug paraphernalia and trash, according to resident Ken Vivrette, who described the problem at a recent Jefferson County Commission meeting.

As a result of the recent increase in traffic, the road, which was chip sealed in 2009, has deteriorated and the property owners must shoulder the cost of maintenance, said Vivrette.