Whitefish prepares to rebuild State Park Road

The Whitefish City Council tonight is poised to approve bid-letting for the first phase of a $5.3 million, two-year rebuild of State Park Road.

The reconstruction of State Park Road, which runs along the western edge of Whitefish Lake Golf Course, is the next street project to be funded with resort tax revenue. The road will be rebuilt from Lion Mountain Loop Road to the railroad tracks.

“One of the highest priorities of this job is the enhancements to driver and pedestrian safety that will be realized through intersection improvements, roadway alignment changes and the addition of an off-street shared-use path,” Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman said in a memorandum to the council.

Given the magnitude and scope of the project, and the right-of-way acquisition that is necessary north of Haugen Heights Road, the project has been divided into two phases.

From July to October this year the stretch of State Park Road from Lion Mountain Loop Road to Haugen Heights Road will be reconstructed. Gas-main relocation will take place in May and June.

A final public informational meeting for the first phase will be scheduled in May or early June, Workman’s memo said. This meeting will bring residents up to speed on the final project design, proposed construction schedule and what residents can expect during the construction work.

Phase 2 — from Haugen Heights Road to the railroad tracks — will occur from April through October 2020,with minimal construction planned during July and August.

The city’s transportation plan calls for State Park Road to be an “urban collector” that is 32 feet wide with curbs and gutters.

The planned shared-use path will create a connection to the U.S. 93 trail and will be a key link in the Whitefish Lake State Park recreational use.

Decorative lighting using LED lights is planned along State Park Road, and the city aims to reduce the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph.

The council will vote on the design and a recommendation to solicit bids for phase 1.

The council will hold an open house for the public from 5 to 6 p.m. today in the first-floor lobby. Council members, the mayor and department heads will attend.

At 6 p.m. Mayor John Muhlfeld and City Manager Adam Hammatt will give the State of the City address in the second-floor council chambers.

During the regular meeting that begins at 7:10 p.m., Whitefish Legacy partners will give an update on the Whitefish Trail and the Headwaters Economic Study.

In another Public Works-related agenda item, Workman will give a report regarding recent objections to the Depot Park project schedule and a possible special meeting to award the bid.

News Editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.