Basecamp Drive roundabout subject of study

The Montana Department of Transportation is moving forward with a study of the intersection of the U.S. 93 bypass and Basecamp Drive in South Kalispell.

The study, to be conducted by KLJ Engineering, will determine the best possible configuration for future construction plans. The state is looking at four possible intersection designs, including the use of the incomplete roundabout currently in place there. The four alternatives are detailed at bit.ly/kalispellbypass.

"We understand the Kalispell bypass has seen a lot of recent construction," Bob Vosen, the Transportation Department's district administrator, said in a statement. "Conducting this study is the next step to complete the entire bypass in the coming years. It will help us determine what intersection configuration makes the most sense for that particular area to improve traffic flow."

KLJ Engineering first studied the Basecamp Drive intersection in 2019 and identified a bottleneck traffic issue. The follow-up study will be conducted this summer and fall, with results expected around the end of 2021.

The department anticipates using those results to settle on a new intersection configuration in the coming year or two. The construction timeline will be set once a design schedule is in place and funding is available.