Ceremony kicks off bypass construction

Kalispell contractor LHC is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the U.S. 93 Alternative Route project.

The event will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday southeast of Glacier High School.

Work on the bypass officially begins Monday.

Speakers at the event will include Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson, Flathead County Commissioner Gary Krueger, Montana Department of Transportation Director Mike Tooley and representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines and U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.

“The beginning of the final phases of the Kalispell bypass is a major event for the community,” Tooley said. “This project is the culmination of years of planning, hard work and collaboration between industry and government; it will be a rare opportunity to see history in the making.”

 LHC won a $33.8 million contract for the final segments of the bypass.

The initial work will begin at both ends of the project, with construction and earthwork toward bridge construction at U.S. 2 and Old Reserve Drive. Traffic through these areas will be affected by construction and heavy machinery.

LHC and the Montana Department of Transportation have announced a lineup of public information meetings in the coming month.

Meetings will be from 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 in the Glacier High School auditorium.

In November, the meetings will move to the Kalispell Middle School cafeteria at 205 Northwest Lane. Meetings are planned for Nov. 3, 10, and 17  from 5 to 6 p.m.

Project managers will be on hand to answer questions about construction operations, timelines, traffic issues and what businesses can expect once construction begins.

For more information, contact LHC at 758-6400 or by email at kalispellbypass@lhcmt.com.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.