Whitefish street project ahead of schedule

If the weather cooperates this week, the 100 block of Central Avenue in Whitefish could open to traffic as early as Friday afternoon, more than two weeks ahead of schedule.

Schellinger Construction hopes to pave the reconstructed portion of Whitefish’s main street by midweek and finish striping and installation of signs, benches and trash cans on Thursday and early Friday, according to Whitefish City Manager Chuck Stearns.

The scheduled completion date is June 13.

The 100 block project is the fourth phase of the streetscape project that includes reconstruction of Central Avenue and portions of First and Third streets, with widened sidewalks and other amenities aimed at making the downtown more visitor-friendly.

Construction will be done in phases in the fall and spring through spring 2012, leaving the prime tourism season of July and August construction-free for visitors.

Resort-tax revenue is being used to pay for the roughly $5.5 million project.