Parkline Trail construction ahead of schedule

Construction on the Kalispell Parkline Trail is ahead of schedule.

Although the extensive prep work lasted for about a decade before the tracks could finally come out to build the downtown trail, Sandry Construction has been making quick work of the track removal since crews got started this year.

"The tracks came up faster than we anticipated," Project Manager Mitch Hill said.

On Thursday, Hill told the Daily Inter Lake all of the tracks — except for those at road crossings — have now been removed from the 1.6-mile stretch where the trail will be located.

He predicted the remaining tracks will come out sometime in the next two months.

Before Sandry Construction could start taking the tracks out, the businesses using the rail service had to be relocated to Glacier Rail Park northeast of town. The city of Kalispell also had to secure the right of way to use the railroad tracks from BNSF Railway Co.

But once the city jumped those hurdles, the contractor for the project found quick success with the nuts and bolts of building the new trail. Hill said all of the tracks, excluding those on roadways, were finally removed three weeks ago.

On Thursday the team started pouring concrete for the multi-use path.

Despite the promising pace of Sandry's work, Hill said the Parkline Trail likely won't be 100% complete until next spring. That prediction matches the original timeline set by the city, even though the contracting crew is moving quicker than expected.

Hill explained landscaping and other finishing touches outside his purview are still scheduled to go into place as initially planned, hence the unchanged timetable.

One surprising impediment to Sandry's work has emerged in the form of motorists mistakenly driving in the construction zone where the trail will be put into place.

Since the tracks were removed, Hill said, "tons" of confused drivers have continually driven onto the right-of-way that is going to house the concrete path. The bulk of the incidents have taken place behind Sunrift Beer Co., where gravel currently occupies the space where the tracks used to be.

"Don't drive on the path," Hill urged.

To keep up with progress on the Parkline Trail, the city is recording periodic overhead drone footage and posting the videos online. Every two weeks, the city flies a drone to capture the status of the project all along its meandering path through town.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.