Rose Crossing inadequate for level of traffic
I have lived on Rose Crossing since July of 2008. Since moving here, as is the case with most growing communities, I have seen the traffic levels increase on the small country road on which I live.
However, I was unprepared for the onslaught that occurred over the last few months with the pushing through of Rose Crossing from LaSalle (U.S. 2) and U.S. 93. In essence, Rose Crossing is now being used as a de facto bypass for commuters and motorists between those two major thoroughfares as a way to avoid the near constant congestion along Reserve.
A development on Rose Crossing known as Rose Water has added a slight increase in traffic numbers. Surveys projecting increases in future traffic numbers over a 20-year period estimated that by 2032, an average of 1,200 vehicles per day might be traveling Rose Crossing between highways 2 and 93.
According to a just completed investigation and survey by a local engineer however, that number (1,200) has already been reached or surpassed. And it is only 2018! It will only get worse, as the development continues between Whitefish Stage and U.S. 93.
Two large developments are planned over the next few years. One is Kalispell North Town Center, a combination of retail and residential developments. The other is Eagle Valley Ranch. Both will increase significantly the traffic counts along our little roadway. Estimates for number increases came in at an added 3,000 plus vehicles per day from the Eagle Valley Ranch project, and as high as 8,000 vehicles per day due to the Kalispell North Town Center.
Those of us who reside along this roadway know Rose Crossing is NOT set up or designed to handle this amount of traffic. Here are our concerns:
1. The average width of a two-lane roadway is roughly 30 feet, plus shoulders of 4 feet. Rose Crossing is barely 22 feet wide with no shoulders to speak of. In fact, on either side the edge drops dramatically into a 3-4 foot ditch. Motorists often get stuck in this ditch, especially in winter when driving conditions deteriorate.
2. There are no visible lane lines to guide motorists. In my 10 years of living here, I’ve observed the county only once repainting the lines, and they disappeared practically overnight.
3. A particularly treacherous section of Rose Crossing has a sharp 90-degree turn with extremely limited line-of-sight, combined with a steep drop off on the east side of the roadway. Those who are unfamiliar with the roadway or those traveling far above the posted speed (35 at most, recommended 10 at the turn) are often taken off guard with no room for error. There have been many instances of vehicles skidding and sliding off the road and over the embankment.
4. The curve in question is also surrounded by thick, tall trees on either side, and for a good portion of the years receives no sunlight. The result is an even more treacherous section of road as it is often icy in the winter.
5. Except for the very recent placement of a few concrete barricades at the very top of the curve, there are NO barricades to protect/guide drivers.
All these issues combine to make for a roadway that is wholly and completely inadequate for the level of cars that has suddenly been dumped on it.
We, as residents, spear-headed by Debbie Street, have presented our concerns to both the Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County Commissioners. To date, there have been some attempts made to mitigate the situation: reduced “suggested” speeds at and around the 90-degree corner, as well as some concrete barricades for a distance of approximately 50 feet. As far as we know, at this point, no further modifications are pending--no widening, no shoulder work, no lane repainting, no more barricades.
Most recently we requested a restriction be placed on through truck traffic. Given the list of hazards that exist on this road and its general inadequacy for large vehicles, we thought it wise to limit access. The 90-degree curve is dangerous enough for normal vehicles. When large construction vehicles back up and try to come around that section, the likelihood of a collision is vastly increased as these trucks simply cannot navigate safely around it given the tightness of the angle and the narrowness of the road itself. Recently there was a very dangerous incident involving a school bus full of children that nearly collided with one of these trucks.
Municipalities often take these kinds of measures (fully within their jurisdiction to do so) in certain areas, most commonly hinging on issues of driving safety. Surprisingly, and disappointingly, the county commissioners said they would not restrict truck traffic along that section of Rose Crossing, under the justification that it was a “public” road and they could/would not challenge access.
Given the planned development on the west wide of Whitefish Stage, these types of concerns are valid and will only mount. We strongly urge the Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County Commissioners to take appropriate and timely action on these requests before there is a tragedy along Rose Crossing. If nothing changes, it is only a matter of time before that will be the case.
— Stacey Neary, Kalispell