Columbia Falls transportation plan ready for public perusal

A draft transportation plan that prioritizes millions of dollars’ worth of potential road improvements in Columbia Falls over the next two decades will be unveiled to the public next week during three separate events.

An open house is planned from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27, at Columbia Falls City Hall, 130 Sixth St. W. That will be followed by a City Council work session from noon to 1 p.m. that day, and another open house and presentation from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The Draft Columbia Falls Urban Area Transportation Plan offers a long-range look at potential road projects through the year 2040. It considers all modes of transportation, including vehicle traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, rail and air “to create a consolidated vision for the future,” the draft, completed by KLJ Engineering, states.

The plan was developed through a collaborative process that involved various stakeholders, agencies and community members.

A sampling of proposed major street network projects and projected costs include:

• 13th Street West corridor from Fourth to 12th Avenue West: reconstruction, add sidewalks and multi-use path — $2.77 million.

• Fourth Avenue West from 13th Street West to Railroad Street: reconstruction, add sidewalk and multi-use path from Railroad to U.S. 2, widen pavement, add sidewalk from U.S. 2 to 13th St. — $4.24 million.

• Railroad Street from Fourth Avenue West to Nucleus Avenue: reconstruct roadway, add multi-use path Fourth Avenue to Nucleus; add path from Nucleus to Eighth Avenue — $1.54 million.

• South Hilltop Road from U.S. 2 to Talbot: corridor upgrade of a major collector — $2.43 million.

• Truck Route, U.S. 2 to 12th Avenue West: corridor upgrade of a major collector — $2.92 million.

• Truck Route, 12th Avenue West to Fourth Avenue West: corridor upgrade of a major collector — $2.92 million.

Among other elements, the draft plan prioritizes transportation system management, with areas on U.S. 2, Nucleus Avenue, Fourth Avenue N. along the railroad mainline and the Truck Route along Sixth Avenue falling in the high priority tier.

Major street networks also were prioritized, with many of the same routes listed as high priority.

BICYCLE AND pedestrian facilities were considered within the city, with recommendations for additional bike and pedestrian crossings and connections, and improvements along Nucleus Avenue. The draft talks about safety concerns with the existing shared-use path along Third Avenue East that begins at U.S. 2 and heads north to River’s Edge Park. Bicyclists and pedestrians coming from the south part of the city to use the path must cross the highway at the designated crossing at U.S. 2 and Nucleus Avenue. However, to avoid “such a lengthy detour, some users choose to cross U.S. 2 at the uncontrolled interaction at Third Avenue East, the draft points out.

“This presents a variety of safety concerns,” the draft states. “The road is 100 feet wide with five lanes, and sight distances at this intersection are poor due to the speed of traffic and road geometry. The road is curved, and trees block the view of oncoming cars past a certain distance.”

The plan notes that new development in that area gives additional priority to adding a safe crossing in the vicinity for a convenient north-south connection.

The comprehensive draft plan not only outlines project development and recommendations, but also contains a financial plan, policy plan and a chapter on pavement management, among other elements.

Members of the public wishing to comment on the draft plan can send comments to KLJ Engineering, 1830 Third Ave. E., Kalispell, MT, 59901, or by contacting KLJ Project Manager Wade Kline at 701-.271-5009 or email wade.kline@kljeng.com.

More information is available online at https://columbiafalls.transportationplan.net. Comments should be received by Oct. 6.

News editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 406-758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.