Lights up for U.S. 93 bypass

Some traffic signals are now operating at the U.S. 93 bypass, with the highway project expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Jim Mitchell, Montana Department of Transportation engineering project manager, said three sets of signals on Old Reserve Drive came online this week. Two intersect with the ramps to the bypass; the other intersects with Wolfpack Way near Glacier High School.

Mitchell said the bypass lights were turned on Wednesday and the signal at Wolfpack Way would be turned on Thursday. All of the signals were put in a yellow-blinking mode last week to get drivers used to their presence, Mitchell said.

The roadway gets a lot of traffic from commuters and high school students, Mitchell said.

Drivers should take note of the new lights and also be mindful of workers in the area, Mitchell said.

“It will be a change,” Mitchell said. “I think it will be a benefit to the flow of traffic.”

Bob Vosen, Montana Department of Transportation construction engineer, said more road access is expected soon.

“The project’s been going really well,” Vosen said. “We’re working towards getting access to Four Mile Drive open in the next few weeks. People won’t have access to the bypass, but it will be more access to Kidsports.”

As part of the bypass project, Four Mile Drive has been extended from Kidsports to Stillwater Road.

There is some paving left on the $33.8 million, 4.5-mile bypass project, which is expected to be completed before the start of November, barring any major weather delays.

Construction on the U.S. 93 Alternate Route began in October 2015. It is meant to divert some Kalispell traffic from U.S. 93, which is one of the state’s busiest roadways. A 2014 report from the Montana Department of transportation found that an average of 34,000 vehicles travel the road each day.

Vosen said so far the weather had been favorable for completing the project, but that it is really the only factor that could delay the opening of the new highway.

“The one big thing we can’t control is the weather,” Vosen said. “If Mother Nature decides winter comes early, that could put a damper on it.”

Vosen said people can help construction workers by not jumping the gun on driving on the roadway, which might start to look complete, but technically is not.

“Watch the signs,” Vosen said. “Don’t drive around barriers. Stay off the road until we open it.”

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.