Bibler Trail construction gets under way on Monday

Construction of the long-awaited Sam Bibler Memorial Trail begins Monday.

The 1-mile trail is being built along Willow Glen Drive between FFA Drive and just north of Woodland Avenue. The trail project is a partnership between the Montana Department of Transportation, Flathead County and the Sam Bibler Commemorative Trust Project.

The $460,000 trail is being primarily funded by federal Community Transportation Enhancement Program dollars, with a 13 percent local match being raised by the Sam Bibler Commemorative Trust Project.

APEX Construction of Kalispell, is the general contractor for the project and construction is expected to take 45 days.

There will be daily traffic slowdowns due to shoulder work and traffic control due to lane narrowing. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. For additional questions, contact Apex Contracting at 837-0569.

Eventually, the commemorative trail project will cover about eight miles, honoring the civic work of the late Louis “Sam” Bibler, who fought to preserve Conrad Mansion, helped raise money to improve Woodland Park and made contributions to many other projects. Bibler died in 2002 at the age of 86.

As envisioned, the completed trail would run from Lower Valley Road north along Willow Glen to Conrad Drive. There would be an eastern spur along Conrad to Shady Lane and Montana 35, in addition to a loop west to Woodland Park, south along Woodland Avenue and back to Willow Glen.