Major highway reconstruction project begins

An extensive reconstruction project on U.S. 93 West between Lupfer and Karrow Avenue is currently underway. Minor traffic impacts likely will begin Monday morning, April 15.

Phase I of the Department of Transportation project will revamp the west entrance to town beginning with a new bridge over the Whitefish River. Additional work includes adding a center turn lane, installation of a bike path and sidewalk, new retaining walls, decorative street lights, landscaping, construction of a new storm drain system, replacing sewer and water lines, and buried utilities.

A bike and pedestrian underpass is planned to run beneath the highway at the bridge. The sidewalk will run along the north side of the highway with the bicycle path on the south side.

Construction of the first segment is anticipated to take two years to complete. Work this year is expected to run through November.

LHC out of Kalispell will perform the work. The company is currently finalizing their schedule and will hold meetings to keep the public informed about traffic impacts and progress.

While the scope of work is extensive, officials say commuters shouldn’t have to deal with major traffic impacts, especially in the early stages of work.

“There’s not going to be more than minor delays,” said Bob Vosen with the MDOT.

Access to businesses and residences will be maintained during construction.

A temporary bridge with two lanes will be installed over the Whitefish River while the Second Street bridge is demolished and rebuilt.

The new bridge has been designed with the idea of preserving the unique community character of Whitefish. It will be a 138-foot single-span steel girder bridge with vertical abutments and riprap aprons. A single-span bridge was chosen because they are generally less expensive and quicker to construct, while causing less disturbance to the river. They’re also less prone to seismic activity.

The bridge deck will feature two lanes of traffic with 2-foot shoulders. A 10-foot raised sidewalk is planned for the south side, and an 8-foot raised sidewalk on the north side. Downtown-style street lights will run the length of the span.

The reconstruction project was originally approved in 1994 as part of the Somers to Whitefish West highway project with the primary purpose of reducing congestion, providing for planned growth and development, improving safety, providing facilities for bicycles and pedestrians, and providing for enhanced scenic values.

The second phase of reconstruction will run from Karrow to Mountainside Drive. The final phase goes to milepost 133 west of Twin Bridges Road.

West Second Street was first constructed in 1936 and wasn’t designed to handle current traffic volumes. Studies show the vehicle crash rate on the stretch of road is higher than the statewide average with 61 accidents recorded in a three-year period.

A 2010 report shows that on average 12,200 vehicle travel the roadway each day. It is projected that in 2030 that volume will increase to nearly 20,400 vehicles a day.