Project aims to restore underpass leading into Glacier’s west entrance

A group of West Glacier residents are working to beautify and restore the underpass leading into Glacier National Park’s busiest entrance.

The West Glacier Historic Gateway Project was born in 2019 when two resident cyclists, Val Parsons and Terry Divoky, were alarmed by the deterioration of the underpass and the surrounding area. They saw a restoration project as long overdue, so they rallied a working group of community members to take on the work.

Millions of people enter Glacier National Park annually by passing under the train bridge, which is owned by the BNSF Railways and is located at the intersection of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and U.S. 2. The group said the area has presented safety issues and was overrun with invasive weeds.

Project co-planner Sharon Bengtson said it was clear that a campaign to clean and landscape the area would be lengthy and costly, so supporters broke it down into three phases. They also linked up with Gateway to Glacier Trails, a Columbia Falls-based trail-building nonprofit whose 10-mile paved ‘Gateway to Glacier Trail’ begins in Hungry Horse and ends at West Glacier at the underpass.

“It made sense for Gateway to Glacier Trails to become the nonprofit and fiscal sponsor for this project,” said Val Parsons, Gateway to Glacier Trails founder and underpass project participant. “As a resident of West Glacier I saw the need for the Gateway to Glacier Trail years ago, and alongside fellow residents, I see a great need for this restoration project.”

The first phase of the project was completed in the spring of 2022 by the Montana Department of Transportation. That effort focused on safety work, repairing the underpass sidewalk and bike trail interface — creating a smooth transition into the walkway under the railroad.

The second phase of the project is landscape clean-up and revitalization. The West Glacier Garden Club planted flowers and spray painted the underpass decades ago, according to a press release issued by project supporters, which has long been overgrown and peeled-off. The current project harkens back to that effort by removing weeds, built-up gravel and damaged plant material.

Last summer, the Center for Native Plants added native grasses, perennials and shrubs to the western side of the underpass after taking into consideration the community history and the conditions on the site. They also donated all planning and design hours and provided plant material at a significant discount.

Kalispell Daybreak Rotary Club donated $8,000 of the $18,000 that was needed for the west side landscaping, while also organizing volunteer workdays. Last summer, Rotary members and volunteers pulled weeds, removed several loads of brush, and pruned overgrown bushes and trees. During the fall, volunteers bought and installed snow fencing and ground cloth to protect the landscape and ease the spring cleanup.

Project organizers are currently fundraising to upgrade the east side of the entrance’s landscaping. Project co-planner Jill Rocksund said they hope to reach their fundraising goal this year, with a little more than $5,000 remaining. Their total fundraising goal accounts for two additional years of weed control and watering needs.

The third phase of the project will involve refurbishing the BNSF overpass leading into West Glacier and Glacier National Park. The work will include sandblasting concrete and metal beams, repairing spalling, applying graffiti washable sealer, and repairing metal and handrails, among other improvements. This phase will involve working with federal, Montana Department of Transportation and BNSF officials as there will be specific standards, procedures and materials required.

Organizers hope it will become a part of the Federal Lands Access Program study currently underway at the state Transportation Department.

“We want to thank the Kalispell Daybreak Rotary Club, businesses including Pursuit, Glacier Raft, Glacier Highland, Hungry Horse Liquor, Glacier River Ranch, Wild River Adventures, organizations like the Glacier Park Conservancy and the many individuals who donated hundreds of dollars to raise the rest of the funds,” Project co-planner Mary McClelland said. “Without the investment of these local businesses, volunteers and community members, we would not have been able to make the exciting progress we’ve seen in the last year. We can’t wait to see what 2023 holds.”

To volunteer or learn more about the West Glacier Historic Gateway Project, visit www.gatewaytoglaciertrail.com/glacierunderpass.

Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4433 or by emailing tinman@dailyinterlake.com.