Kalispell City Council to vote on federal grant for pedestrian safety upgrades

Kalispell City Council is expected to vote Monday on whether to pursue a federal grant to improve pedestrian safety on Main Street — a grant it opted against applying for last year.  

Council meets at 7 p.m., May 18 in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. 

Councilors last month signaled interest in pursuing the federal grant after abandoning the controversial plan to reduce Main Street from four lanes to three in what is known as a road diet.  

Instead, funding would go toward other improvements outlined in the Main Street Safety Action Plan, including building two roundabouts south of the Flathead County Justice Center and upgrading crosswalks in front of St. Matthew’s Catholic School.  

During an April work session, councilors followed city staff’s recommendation to table the Main Street lane reduction proposal, citing public backlash, high costs and the absence of a completed bypass to divert traffic.  

In a 5-4 vote last year, Council decided against applying for the same federal grant following opposition to the road diet proposal. Several councilors agreed with critics in the community that slimming Main Street would cause nightmarish traffic delays.  

A city study estimated the change would create traffic delays of up to 90 seconds by 2045.  

The U.S. Department of Transportation in March announced nearly $690 million available through the competitive Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation grant program. The city plans to pursue the maximum request of $25 million.  

The grant requires a 20% local match, which the city would cover using tax increment financing funds.  

The two single-lane roundabouts would be placed at the intersection of U.S. 93 and 11th Street East as well as the intersection of U.S. 93, 13th Street East and Airport Road. The traffic circles are intended to slow traffic down and provide easier access to First Avenue East and First Avenue West. 

COUNCIL IS also expected to appoint Paul Ronald Gerson to the Architectural Review Board.  

The board was created in 2010 to “encourage originality, flexibility and innovation in site planning and development,” according to a memo from City Clerk Aimee Brunckhorst.  

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or junderhill@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.