Kalispell council to talk traffic issues

The Kalispell City Council is scheduled to convene for a work session at 7 p.m. today to discuss traffic guidelines for the city.

The traffic-related discussion items will include the bus loading zone at Flathead County Library, certain sections of roadway in the city that are designated as no parking, a safety study of traffic around Hedges Elementary School and an update of the municipal size, weight and height restrictions of trucks going through town.

Under the proposed guidelines, trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 pounds would not be allowed to drive in the city except on state roadways or on a direct route from the state roadway to their destination. This includes heavy delivery trucks, dump trucks and other similarly large vehicles.

The new guidelines also propose making the driver of any vehicle liable for all damages sustained to city roadways or sidewalks as a result of their driving, except where a special permit has been attained.

Emergency and city owned or operated vehicles would be exempt from the regulations.

The Safe Route to School study performed around Hedges Elementery School was performed at the request of the Parent Teacher Organization. A similar study was done in 2004, and resulted in additional stop signs being installed, no-parking areas being cordoned off and the creation of a school zone.

The City Council will next meet for a community needs assessment public hearing on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. and for the regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. Both meetings and Monday’s work session will be at City Hall at 201 1st Ave. E. in Kalispell.

Reporter Peregrine Frissell can be reached at pfrissell@dailyinterlake.com or (406) 758-4438.