Full Three Mile Drive interchange proposed for bypass

The planned northern half of the Kalispell U.S. 93 bypass should have a full diamond interchange at Three Mile Drive, the Montana Department of Transportation said this week.

Original designs proposed a partial diamond interchange, with Three Mile Drive going over the bypass on a new bridge and access ramps  only on the south side of Three Mile Drive.

During right-of-way acquisition, the department acquired land allowing for two northern ramps and a full diamond interchange.

The proposed Three Mile Drive bridge will maintain the existing travel lanes and add left-turn lanes, sidewalks and traffic signals. 

Non-motorized traffic will be able to access a proposed eight-mile bypass bike path by crossing above the bypass on sidewalks built on the Three Mile Drive overpass. 

Plans call for a sidewalk on the north side of Three Mile Drive extending west from Northern Lights Boulevard to connect with the existing trail at Empire Loop. Noise walls for the Empire Estates subdivision also are planned.

Construction for the northern half of the bypass is not yet scheduled or funded. Right-of-way acquisition is complete but utility relocation will be required. 

Highway officials have estimated the northern half of the bypass will cost more than $30 million to build and require at least four phases of construction.