State to upgrade sidewalk ramps in Kalispell

The Montana Department of Transportation will upgrade sidewalks to increase accessibility in Kalispell this summer.

Throughout the summer, the state agency, in conjunction with Knife River and WGM Group, will update several ramps along Idaho Street and U.S. 93 South to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The project team will install updated ramp devices called truncated domes. These devices alert pedestrians that they have reached a street corner. Upgrades to sidewalk ramps, known as curb cuts, will make it easier for wheeled devices to transition from the street to the sidewalk.

"As a part of our commitment to safety, access for all users is very important," MDT District Construction Engineer John Schmidt said in a news release. "These upgrades will not only provide access for individuals with disabilities, but will also offer benefits for users on bicycles, parents pushing strollers, and many others."

To minimize disruptions, the majority of this work will be conducted at night between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Some sidewalk and lane closures will be necessary as work is completed.

Work not requiring lane closures may take place during daytime hours, and both drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to be mindful of sidewalk and traffic changes at all hours.

The project team is working closely with Mountain Climber to minimize impacts to those who use public transit services and may be affected by sidewalk closures. Weekly project updates will be provided to public transportation and other services to communicate the project status and areas of greatest impact.

Construction will occur in three zones. Some zones may overlap in schedules.

• Work will begin on Idaho Street between First Avenue West North and Eighth Avenue West North in early June and continue through the beginning of August.
• Work on Idaho Street, stretching from Main Street to Seventh Avenue East North, is expected to run from late July to early October.
• Work will begin at First Avenue East on U.S. 93 and continue to Kelly Road. Construction in zone three is anticipated to begin in mid-September and wrap up in late October.

MDT will host in-person and virtual open houses for community members to learn more about this project. Members of the project team will be on hand to meet with residents and answer questions.

The in-person open house will take place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 25 at Montana West Economic Development, 44 Second Ave. W. in Kalispell.

The virtual open house will be held at noon on May 26 via Zoom. Registration is required.

Those interested may visit bit.ly/KalispellADA to register or call the project hotline at 406-207-4484 for more information.