Plans move ahead of funds on bypass
The Montana Department of Transportation hopes to get to work this summer on the rest of the U.S. 93 bypass west of Kalispell despite uncertain availability of federal transportation money.
“We’re still working on the funding,” said Jim Mitchell, the department’s construction manager in Kalispell. “The funding is a little bit up in the air with the highway bill in Congress.”
The last section of U.S. 93 Alternate Route, between Old Reserve Drive and the southern half of the bypass at U.S. 2, is an estimated $30 million project that relies mostly on money from the federal government.
Construction is expected to begin this summer and the finished bypass could open to traffic by fall 2016 if the money comes through.
Transportation departments in all states have been working with several short-term funding federal packages. Passed last year, the current resolution expires in May. It’s not yet known what kind of new measure will follow, but officials say the bypass project is expected to proceed.
“Right now, the department’s official word is we’re still planning on letting that project,” said Bob Vosen, transportation department district construction engineer. “There’s a lot of things in the works, but we’re still on that schedule.”
The state Department of Transportation has secured a pathway for the west Kalispell bypass, which winds around Kidsports and between neighborhoods along Barron Way and Empire Loop. It would cross Three Mile and Two Mile drives before connecting with the existing bypass.
In addition, the highway department plans to expand the southern bypass to four lanes down to the Foy’s Lake roundabout.
Vosen said that one prime contractor would be chosen for the job after the bidding process. He added that the department doesn’t advertise for bids until the funding is secured. The state hopes to advertise for bids in May — about the time that current federal funding runs out.
It’s still unclear when appropriations might arrive. They could come from the current budget or a new one that hasn’t been passed.
Many groups have called on Congress to pass a long-term transportation package. On Feb. 27, the leaders of 42 state chambers of commerce signed a letter urging congressional leaders to make transportation funding a priority. Montana Chamber of Commerce President Webb Brown was among those who signed the letter.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx also has urged action with a four-day bus tour through states with costly infrastructure needs.
Vosen said there is no date for groundbreaking yet on the Kalispell bypass. The hope is to begin work in July after awarding contracts.
But highway officials will be watching Congress to find out what will be available.
“We don’t really have a good indication of where we’re at on that,” Mitchell said.
Already-built sections of the bypass have cost $102 million
Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.