Kalispell plans water-line, storm-water projects

Kalispell is asking for bids for a water-line replacement project along First Avenue East North and for phase one construction work to improve storm water drainage in the South Meadows neighborhood.

Proposals for the water-line project, estimated to cost about $360,000, are due to the city clerk by 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26.

The two-part project replaces a total of about 1,800 feet of 2-inch water line with a new 8-inch line along Lawrence Park Road and First Avenue East North. One part would replace a 1,200-foot stretch of line, the other a 600-foot length.

The water-line project will improve water flows for improved fire protection in the area. Flows presently do not meet city standards.

Kalispell hopes to have the project awarded in early August, with construction under way soon after that and completed in October.

The project was approved and added last year to the city’s 5-year rolling capital improvement plan.

The existing line is simply too small to flow enough water for adequate fire protection, Public Works Director Susie Turner said.

“Usually, 8-inch mains are our minimum, so we’re upgrading.”

PROPOSALS for the South Meadows work are due to the city clerk by 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2.

Engineering to improve the storm-water drainage system in the southeast Kalispell neighborhood started last year and recently was completed.

City officials set aside $700,000 of stormwater assessment revenue to pay for the work.

The South Meadows neighborhood was annexed by Kalispell after it was built. The neighborhood’s inadequate ditch and culvert storm-water drainage system sits in the public right of way, making it the city’s responsibility to fix.

Drainage problems are in the older part of the two-phase neighborhood and the project entails work along Bluestone Drive, South Meadows Drive and Belmar Street.

More information about both projects is online at www.kalispell.com/clerk/projects_open.php.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.