Tunnel project ahead of schedule

The construction of a pedestrian tunnel beneath U.S. 93 at Flathead Valley Community College is currently about three days ahead of schedule, according to a project manager with the Montana Department of Transportation.

If the trend continues, Steve Meyers said traffic, which is currently confined to one lane in each direction through the 1,000-foot construction zone, could return to normal by the weekend.

“As far as getting the roadway opened back up to its previous configuration, I would say realistically no later than Saturday,” Meyers said. “Unless, of course, Mother Nature does something nasty.”

LHC Inc. is the general contractor for the $726,000 project that began May 9 and was expected to be completed (including bike-path approaches to the tunnel) by the end of the month.

Crews have been working 24 hours a day since Saturday and have made more progress than was initially expected on the current phase of the project.

An LHC Inc. employee said the 23 box culverts that make up the tunnel are in place and paving could begin as early as today.

Meyers said he expects paving probably will get under way Thursday instead, though that depends on the weather and the pace of construction.

“They’ve been working real hard,” Meyers said. “They’re hustling.”

After asphalt is in place, workers will need to stripe the roadway and complete bike path connections on each side of U.S. 93. Some shoulder work also will be required. The speed limit will remain reduced through the final phase of the project.

When finished, the 140-foot-long tunnel will connect the Kidsports complex and Flathead Valley Community College.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.