$3.2M project upgrades Kalispell highways
Construction crews have their eyes set on an early May start date for upgrades to portions of two major arterial roads in Kalispell, according to the Montana Department of Transportation.
Kalispell-based contractor LHC will resurface U.S. 93 from Idaho Street to Grandview Drive near Flathead Community College, and will also resurface U.S. 2 from Cottonwood Drive to three-quarters of a mile north of Reserve Drive. Construction on the two highways is slated to begin and end around the same time, a choice that Bob Vosen, a district construction engineer for Department of Transportation, said makes the most sense economically.
“They are tied together, so we can get the best bang for our buck,” Vosen said. “By taking the two contracts for the two highways and tying them together, we get a better price for more quantity.”
The project is estimated to cost around $3.2 million. LHC is hoping to be done with the bulk of the construction by July 4. Vosen said they plan to move a little faster on U.S. 93 over U.S. 2 because it sees a slightly higher volume of traffic, especially in the summer months.
According to a recent press release from the state, the majority of construction will be completed at night, roughly between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Both of the four-lane highways will remain partially open so traffic can continue despite construction. The department has requested that drivers use extra caution when navigating the construction zones.
“They are all working at night to minimize disruption to the public, but low visibility and other things make the night work more dangerous for our workers,” Vosen said.
The construction is part of the valley’s pavement preservation project, which aims to be as proactive as possible in maintaining smooth roads. Vosen said road maintenance is much like car maintenance.
“Every now and then we have to take our car in to get the tires rotated and get the oil changed. Roads are no different,” Vosen said. “By updating the roads when we do, we avoid any further deterioration that can cost quite a bit more.”
Vosen said for road construction, the general rule of thumb is every dollar that isn’t spent now may cost between $4 and $8 in the future.
The two highway projects aren’t the only improvements on the local summer construction agenda. Some smaller-scale upgrades will begin the first week of May prior to the highway construction getting underway.
Mission Mountain Railroad on U.S. 2 will see upgrades. A rubber mat crossing, located just south of Rose Crossing, will be replaced by concrete. According to the press release, “the new crossing will be less slippery than its rubber counterpart when wet, improving safety and stability for all travelers.”
Multiple crosswalks and signals will be brought into compliance with standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act by adding ramps that are wheelchair-accessible.
Textured areas, or the little metal plates with domes, will be installed on various existing sidewalk ramps to help alert visually impaired individuals they are entering a roadway. While the improvements are being made, some side streets might experience temporary closures.
The sidewalk, texturing and signal projects are part of the Kalispell Urban Plan, which also will include improvements to East Center Street, Seventh Street West and Seventh Ave. West. East Evergreen Drive and Foy’s Lake Road are also scheduled for improvements.
Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com