Design phase of Reserve Drive widening project to get underway
The city of Kalispell, in partnership with the Montana Department of Transportation, is kicking off a road widening project on Reserve Drive between Hutton Ranch and Whitefish Stage roads.
City and state transportation officials plan to select a project team this year and begin design of the recommended improvement option selected through the West Reserve Drive Corridor Planning Study. Construction is expected to occur in 2024 or 2025.
The most recent U.S. Census named Kalispell the fastest growing micropolitan area in the country. Traffic volumes have increased with the growth, causing significant delays on Reserve Drive and Whitefish Stage Road.
The project secured the U.S. Department of Transportation Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant in 2022 to address transportation and traffic challenges.
“This has been a highly requested and needed project for the Flathead,” said Bob Vosen, Missoula District administrator for the state Department of Transportation, in a statement. “Multiple projects are taking place in this area over the next few years, all in different phases. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to move everything forward in a timely fashion. We recognize the urgency here.”
Project improvements will include widening Reserve Drive from Hutton Ranch Road to Whitefish Stage Road from three to five lanes, including a center turn lane, replacing the Stillwater River bridge deck to include sidewalks, and adding a shared-use path and a pedestrian sidewalk.
In addition, intersection improvements to Hutton Ranch Road and Whitefish Stage Road will include dedicated turn lanes, signals and concrete surfacing.
Updates will be sent out via the project webpage, https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/reservedrive/, and by mail, news releases and through public meetings to ensure the Flathead community is kept informed on this project and other Reserve Drive and Whitefish Stage Road projects that are taking place within the next few years.
To receive email updates on the project, please contact Becca at becca@bigskypublicrelations.com or call our project hotline at 406-207-4484.
To sign up for text updates, text RESERVEDRWHITEF to 41411. Text STOP to cancel.