Road work resumes at Foys Lake interchange
Starting this month, Flathead area drivers will again see road construction crews at the Foys Lake Road and U.S. 93 Alt intersection.
The Montana Department of Transportation has completed the majority of construction on the Foys Lake Road Interchange project. In 2021, crews replaced the original highway roundabout with a full interchange consisting of an overpass and ramps connected to two teardrop-shaped roundabouts. Now that the interchange is in use, LHC crews will return briefly to mill, pave, chip seal and complete final clean up.
In addition, crews will be sealing the roadway on the bridge and roundabouts and completing Ashley Creek streambank work. These final details will ensure the intersection is fully functional and endures for many years to come.
In 2021, LHC in partnership with MDT removed the existing roundabout and replaced it with a full interchange. Crews first worked to complete the two teardrop-shaped roundabouts off of U.S. 93 Alt on Foys Lake Road and moved to finish the overpass in the later months of 2021.
“We appreciate the public’s patience as we get this done. We are already seeing efficient traffic movement during peak travel hours on the interchange,” Sam Weyers, LHC stated.
The roundabout that originally existed at the Foys Lake Road intersection was always intended to be removed. This was a part of a phased development plan to ensure that drivers could navigate the Bypass safely and efficiently with the funding available at that time. When additional funding was secured, MDT was able to move forward with this long term, interchange solution. MDT’s goal with this project is to increase traffic flow and safety for drivers throughout the area. This interchange will handle Kalispell traffic efficiently as it facilitates regional traffic over the overpass bridge and local traffic down via the two roundabouts below.
MDT will provide updates as final roadwork begins this spring. Drivers should anticipate delays but only for a very limited window of time.