Bike paths making connections

Construction began this week on the latest segment of the Great Northern Historical Rail-Trail bike path west of Kalispell, one of several new bike trails scheduled to be built in the valley this year.

Projects are also planned in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and possibly Somers.

The newest segment of the Great Northern trail will run 2.2 miles west from Dern Road along U.S. 2, past West Valley Drive, almost to Political Drive. It should be ready in about 60 days.

Once it's finished, it will connect two existing sections. The pavement will run from Meridian Road in Kalispell, near Appleway Drive, almost to Julie's Arena, a distance of about 5.5 miles.

The nonprofit Rails to Trails organization also plans to add a gravel base this fall to the next 2.5-mile section in preparation for future paving. The trail will eventually run all the way to Smith Lake, following the former railroad line for much of the way.

Peggy Goodrich with the Flathead County Planning Office said the final design has also been completed for the northern portion of the Somers-Lakeside trail. That project, which would run from Somers to the Somers fish hatchery, could go to bid this summer and possibly be built this year.

Both projects are being built with money from the state Community Transportation Enhancement Program, which covers 87 percent of the eligible costs. Local contributions and donations make up the remainder.

Flathead County receives about $235,000 per year in state money, Goodrich said. A couple of public meetings will be held this summer to identify bike-path construction priorities for next year and beyond.

"We're looking for what projects people in the community are willing to find money for [to meet the local match requirement]," Goodrich said. "Then the CTEP committee and the commissioners will prioritize the projects."

Whitefish, which last year sold $1.8 million in tax-increment revenue bonds to pay for new bike paths, also has a couple of new bike paths in the works this year.

Bids were due Monday for the construction of a short segment along the Whitefish River from Baker Avenue east to the Rygg property that fronts on Spokane Avenue. It provides an essential link to Central Avenue, Whitefish Public Works Director John Wilson said.

And the Whitefish City Council on Monday awarded a $1.2 million contract for Sandry Construction to build the BNSF Loop Trail. The 1.4-mile stretch of bike trail will ring the railroad yard, terminating at the south end of Oregon Avenue and at Baker and Wisconsin avenues.

In Columbia Falls, a mile-long bike path will be built along Fourth Avenue West, between Talbot Drive and U.S. 2, in conjunction with a major road, sewer and water project.

In addition to these public projects, some bike paths may also be built in various corners of the valley as part of new subdivisions.

Kalispell, for example, required bike paths for several of the new developments along Three Mile Drive. A bike trail was also included as part of the Lowe's Home Improvement/Spring Prairie Center retail project at U.S. 93 and West Reserve Drive. However, it's unclear which of these paths will be completed this year.

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at bspence@dailyinterlake.com