State to unveil plans for south end of Kalispell bypass

The Montana Department of Transportation and KLJ Engineering will present initial design concepts regarding the U.S. 93 and Basecamp Drive intersections with the southern end of the Kalispell Bypass at two open houses on Feb. 22 and 23.

They will also discuss a traffic study at the virtual and in-person open houses.

Four possible intersection concepts were presented last fall, including the use of the incomplete roundabout currently in place, along with overpass design options. These are no longer in consideration, according to Becca MacLean with Big Sky Public Relations, the public relations firm on the project.

“The Kalispell Bypass is an important thoroughfare for our community,” Bob Vosen, MDT Missoula District Administrator, said in a press release. “This traffic analysis is another step toward making the Bypass as efficient and safe as possible. With this in mind, we hope to discuss some of our findings and gather feedback during the meetings in February.”

KLJ Engineering studied the Basecamp Drive intersection in 2019. This study identified a traffic congestion issue at the intersection of the southern end of the Kalispell Bypass with U.S. 93 which has a ripple effect on the Basecamp Drive intersection configuration. This congestion prompted further study.

The state and KLJ conducted crash analyses, traffic studies and held meetings with relevant stakeholders in the summer and fall of 2021. This information has helped shape potential intersection design concepts, the press release stated.

During the upcoming open houses, KLJ Engineering and MDT plan to present details on the progress of the study as well as hear questions and feedback on design alternatives from the public. The goal, according to the press release, is to gather public feedback on the study results to guide the study team towards the best intersection solutions.

For more information about the study, visit: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/kalispellbypass/.

The virtual meeting will be held via Zoom on Feb. 22 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Registration is required to receive access information. To register, visit: bitly.com/kalispellbypass.

The in-person open house will be at the Hampton Inn Kalispell, 1140 US Highway 2 W on February 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. All are invited to drop by at any time.

Those interested in regular updates or who cannot attend the public meeting can contact Becca MacLean at becca@bigskypublicrelations.com or call the project hotline at (406) 207-4484, operating Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.