MDT decides not to pursue reconstruction project in downtown Whitefish

The Montana Department of Transportation has decided not to pursue a reconstruction project in downtown Whitefish for the time being.

MDT and consultant Robert Peccia and Associates launched the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study in 2018 looking at U.S. Highway 93 where it passes through downtown Whitefish. MDT and the consultant recently selected a final concept for the study, but they opted not to implement reconstruction at this time.

MDT said in a press release that the department chose not to pursue the redesign after public feedback was gathered in fall 2021.

The Downtown Whitefish Highway Study was spurred by significant population growth in and around Whitefish, which has led to congestion and delays for local travelers, tourists and commercial vehicles that use U.S. Highway 93 as an international trade route.

“MDT entered this study with the goal of reducing congestion in downtown Whitefish and our preferred concept reaches this goal in the most efficient way,” said Bob Vosen, Missoula District Administrator at the Montana Department of Transportation, in a press release. “However, we don’t want to push anything forward that the community does not want. This has been agreed upon with the City, and we’re proud to have worked together to come to this decision.”

The selected option, Concept C, features two northbound lanes and one southbound lane on Spokane Avenue between 13th Street and Second Street. It also includes two southbound lanes and one northbound lane on Baker Avenue between the same cross streets. In this concept, Second Street continues to have one eastbound and one westbound driving lane, and 13th Street would have two eastbound lanes and one westbound travel lane.

MDT and the City of Whitefish met in early November 2021 to discuss the future of this study after public feedback was received during an open house in September. At the open house, 112 attendees viewed display boards about the project, visited with team members, and submitted 68 formal comments to MDT.

Although some members of the public expressed support for Concept C’s ability to reduce congestion, many commenters expressed concern over the preferred concept. MDT and the city decided not to pursue any changes after reviewing the feedback.

“I’m confident in our decision to identify Concept C as our preferred concept,” Vosen explained. “We are going to finalize this study and put it on a shelf. We will revisit this study with the city of Whitefish in the future. In the meantime, the city will see no further action taken in relation to the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study.”

Although MDT will not move forward with the preferred study concept at this time, MDT will continue to work with the city to maintain the U.S. Highway 93 corridor. This upcoming summer, MDT will be constructing a pavement preservation project to extend the life of the highway in its current configuration and improve sidewalks.

To view the final Downtown Whitefish Highway Study, visit: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/downtownwhitefish/documents.aspx.