Flathead should be construction-free zone this summer

For the first time in several years, local drivers will enjoy largely construction-free roadways this summer, with no major highway jobs planned in Flathead County.

People traveling to or from Missoula won't be so lucky, though.

Gary Kalberg, construction engineer for the Montana Department of Transportation's Missoula district, said only a handful of minor projects are scheduled in the valley this summer.

U.S. 93 from Ashley Creek into Kalispell and Montana 82 between U.S. 93 and the Flathead River bridge both will be chip sealed and get a final striping, he said. The same is true of Center Street and Second Street in Kalispell.

These are all expected to be two- or three-day jobs, Kalberg said, with minimal traffic interruptions.

The long-awaited rebuilding of Meridian Road in Kalispell from U.S. 2 north to U.S. 93 should go out for bid in June, he said. However, the bulk of the construction will take place in summer 2006.

"They'll finish up relocating the utilities this year," Kalberg said. "There's also a retaining wall on the north end and some other minor work that can be done this year, but there shouldn't be any interruption of traffic flows this summer."

The project involves widening Meridian to four lanes between U.S. 2 and Three Mile Drive, with turn lanes at the intersections. There will be three lanes from Three Mile north to U.S. 93.

The entire job should be finished by the fall of 2006, Kalberg said.

A traffic light installation at Shady Lane and Montana 35 was initially planned for this summer, he said, but it will probably be moved to next spring because of limited funding.

"The major construction this summer will be on the way to Missoula," Kalberg said.

Two projects are already under way along U.S. 93 near Polson, he said, and three more contracts could go out to bid this fall and early next year.

Work began a few weeks ago on the Polson East job, which involves widening U.S. 93 to four lanes from the intersection of Montana 35 south for about a mile. A 2.5-mile section along Montana 35 will be improved as well, with turn lanes at the intersection, a wider two-lane to the east and sidewalks and landscaping.

The second job calls for a divided four-lane along U.S. 93 from the end of the Polson East project south to Minesinger Trail, with a separated bike/pedestrian path and a Flathead Lake overlook at the top of Polson Hill.

These two projects together cost about $25 million, Kalberg said.

"In November, we'll let the next two contract in the U.S. 93 corridor," he said. "One job will be just north of Arlee; the second will be south of the 44 Bar area. In February, we'll let the section in between. Within the next year and a half, that whole section from the Jocko River south past the 44 Bar will be in construction."

A major reconstruction along U.S. 2 between Cut Bank and Browning should go to contract this spring. This will also be the final contract year for some critical wall-repair work along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

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