C-Falls, Whitefish seek input on transportation plans

The cities of Columbia Falls and Whitefish are both in the throes of looking at transportation plans and have scheduled public listening sessions this month.

Columbia Falls is developing a transportation plan that includes a 20-year planning horizon, evaluating growth to the year 2040.

Led by KLJ Engineering, the plan focuses on a balanced approach to meet future transportation demands and improve transportation options such as biking, walking and public transit, according to a press release from the city of Columbia Falls.

The first step in the process is developing a set of existing issues and needs. Interested persons are encouraged to participate in an issues and needs survey available through the project webpage columbiafalls.transportationplan.net. The survey allows for an interactive discussion of transportation issues and needs within the study area.

The plan will be supported through a comprehensive public engagement process to provide residents an opportunity to get involved and have their voices heard.

WHITEFISH IS currently developing an updated transportation plan through the year 2040. KLJ Engineering also is leading this effort.

The plan will be developed in a two-phased approach. Phase I, looks to gather public input, document existing conditions, and deliver a summary of key issues and needs. Phase II will build an analysis and evaluation of issues and needs identified in Phase I and will take place in 2021.

Whitefish’s transportation plan is being developed in coordination with a series of ongoing and recently completed studies in the Whitefish area, including the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study under way by the Montana Department of Transportation.

BOTH CITIES will offer a public engagement process.

Whitefish offers live stream WebEx public listening sessions on Oct. 14, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., 3 to 4:30 p.m., and to 7:30 p.m. Each session starts with a presentation, includes interactive survey work and an opportunity for public comment.

To secure log in information for the meetings, RSVP by email to KLJ Project Manager Wade Kline at wade.kline@kljeng.com. Login credentials will be sent out a couple days prior to the meetings.

The Whitefish needs survey is available at whitefish.transportationplan.net.

Columbia Falls’ first public listening sessions are scheduled Thursday, Oct. 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and 6 to 7:30 p.m. at City Fire Hall, 624 First Ave. W., Columbia Fall. Each session starts with a presentation followed by a workshop-style discussion among participants and the project team. More information is available at columbiafalls.transportationplan.net.

To ensure social distancing for the Columbia Falls sessions, in-person attendance will be limited at each session. Those interested in attending are requested to RSVP by sending an email to KLJ project manager, Wade Kline at wade.kline@kljeng.com. A pre-recorded presentation will be available for those who do not wish to attend the in-person meetings. The presentation will be posted online at columbiafalls.transportationplan.net.