Paving work begins on Kalispell Bypass next week
The Kalispell Bypass-U.S. 93 Alternate Route is shown on Wednesday, March 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Paving work is expected to ramp up on the Kalispell Bypass starting April 28.
Work will include a crack seal, seal and cover, commonly referred to as a chip seal, and a fog seal beginning just west of the intersection with West Reserve Drive. A fog seal is a thin layer of special oil that is sprayed onto a road to provide protection.
Over time, roads can become old and develop cracks or wear down because of vehicles and weather conditions.
“Completing pavement preservation projects, like this one, helps MDT make the most of every dollar,” Bob Vosen, MDT Missoula District Administrator said. “By performing this work now, we are preventing more extensive and costly repairs in the future.”
Work will extend south for 4 miles, ending just past the southern Ashley Creek Bridge. At the southern Ashley Creek Bridge, crews will adjust and repave at each end of the bridge to meet new requirements and standards.
While bridge work is occurring, drivers can expect reduced speeds and single-lane closures, with flaggers in place to guide traffic through the work zone.
During the first week, construction will take place overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Once daytime work begins, construction hours will shift to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drivers are advised to stay alert and watch for construction workers in the area.
Work is expected to last approximately eight weeks. Following this phase, crews will pause for 30 days to allow the chip seal to cure and for any loose gravel to settle. After the curing period, workers will return to apply permanent roadway striping.
The purpose of this project is to prolong, preserve, and improve the ride of the existing pavement. During all aspects of construction, one lane of traffic will remain open in each direction. Drivers should expect reduced speeds, lane reductions, and potential delays.
Within the Kalispell Bypass project limitations, the adjacent shared-use path will be fog sealed. This will require a single-day path closure.
More information will be provided once the closure date is scheduled. All construction activities are dependent on weather and unforeseen factors.