Kalispell water-line project put out for bid

Kalispell is asking for bids for a tax increment-funded water line project on West Colorado Street. It has an estimated price tag of $250,000.

The project would install 1,600 feet of 8-inch water line along the street from U.S. 93 to North Meridian Road.

It is being pulled out of Kalispell’s five-year capital improvements plan, where it was scheduled to be done this year and paid for with revenue from water rates.

Instead, the water line would serve two purposes: To boost water system pressures and reliability in the area and extend the life of the West Side Tax Increment Finance District.

The tax increment finance district is on track to sunset in mid-March unless its revenues are pledged to pay off debt issued for a project in its boundary before then.

The water line goes before the Kalispell City Council on Monday, appearing in a resolution to authorize the issuance of bonds for the project. Bonds would be paid off using tax increment revenues, possibly extending the life of the district for as long as 20 or 25 years.

The project would improve infrastructure and result in better fire protection, said Fred Zavodny, project manager in the Public Works Department.

“For a lot of them up there, service is coming off an old 2-inch copper line that snakes around through the area. This will abandon that and put in a new 8-inch main.”

West Colorado Street ends before it hits North Meridian Road.

But the new water line would run all the way there, past several vacant county lots, to create a loop in the distribution system.

New fire hydrants and water main valves and fittings would be installed and the street would be resurfaced where it is dug up.

Bids for the project are due by 2:30 p.m. March 21.

“We’re looking to start in mid-May and complete it by mid-June,” Zavodny said.

He anticipates minimal construction-related hassles for people living in the area.

“People may not like the backhoe out there making noise, but this equipment will be continually rolling ... I don’t see anyone’s driveway being affected more than half a day,” Zavodny said.

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