Water, stormwater infrastructure work begins on Kalispell's west side
The Kalispell Public Works Department has closed Eighth Avenue West between 10th and 11th streets west and 11th Street West between Seventh and Eighth avenues west for stormwater infrastructure improvements, part of a busy summer of capital projects scheduled in the city.
This closure began May 15 and is scheduled to run until May 26, although this phase of the stormwater project may extend to June 5, according to Public Works Director Susie Turner.
The project includes installation of a hydrodynamic separator, which is a necessary part of reducing the nutrients and sediment flowing into Ashley Creek and remaining in compliance with the city’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit.
It’s one of three such units going in this summer, all designed to “remove total suspended solids, oils, and nutrients in stormwater from approximately 833 developed acres within the west Kalispell limits,” according to Turner.
The separators work using “swirl concentrator hybrid technology that provides continuous deflective separation,” according to Turner. Basically, the device swirls stormwater at a speed to separate debris and sediment before allowing the water to flow back into the watershed.
The other units will be located at First Avenue West and Sixth Street West and in the parking lot at Airport Road and 18th Street. The project is expected to cost just under $1 million overall.
The First Avenue West and Sixth Street West project is slated to start the week of July 24 and end the week of Aug. 21. Work at the parking lot on Airport Road and 18th Street should begin the week of Aug. 7 and end the week of Aug. 21, according to the most recent projections, though Turner said the schedule can change.
Turner said that although it was difficult to project exact dates for the road closures associated with the work, she did say that all street closures will be announced on the city’s website at least 48 hours in advance.
The work coincides with a $9 million project to replace a water main running underneath Eighth Avenue West from West Center Street to 11th Street West. Following the installation, crews will need to repave the road. The project is expected to begin this month and run through the end of the year, resulting in multiple road closures.
Residents living adjacent to the ongoing construction work may need to make alternative parking arrangements.
The Public Works Department can be reached at 758-7720 with questions about the work or street closures, Turner said.
Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.