Meeting looks at North Fork Road options

A “corridor planning study” for the North Fork Road will be the topic of an April 20 meeting sponsored by the Montana Department of Transportation and Flathead County.

The meeting in Columbia Falls City Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. will focus in particular on the North Fork Road between Blankenship Road and Camas Road.

“The purpose of the meeting is to gather public input to determine the feasible roadway improvements, if any, that may be needed in the future,” according to a meeting notice.

Past proposals to pave that section of road have been met with opposition from environmental advocates who are concerned that paving will lead to increased traffic and development in the rustic and remote North Fork drainage.

Paving advocates, however, say the road is a source of dust and pollution in the North Fork River and Glacier Park.

The Department of Transportation is accepting public comments on the subject.

Those interested in commenting can do so at the meeting or writing to Lani-Eggertson-Goff, Parsons Brinckerhoff, 488 E. Winchester Suite, Murray, UT 84107, or online at:

http://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/northfork