$2 million released for bypass project

The Daily Inter lake

During a visit to Kalispell on Wednesday, Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has released $1.984 million for the western bypass project around the city.

"This funding approval means significant design and right of way work can begin, and we'll continue to work for additional funding," said Rehberg.

The $1.984 million is part of $3 million for the project that Rehberg helped secure as part of the 2005 omnibus appropriations bill approved late last year.

Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said his committee assignment allows him to continue to work on securing additional funding for the project on a yearly basis.

The project had originally been expected to cost about $28 million, but the full-scale project now has a price tag of $93 million plus costs associated with right of way and utility relocation.

A scaled back design is now in the works with a price tag closer to $58 million.