I3. Resolution 5919 - Support Reserve DriveCity of Kalispell
201 0 Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7000 Fax (406)7757
REPORT TO: Mayor Johnson and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Doug Russell, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for the MDOT designation of West Reserve from a
State Urban Road to a State Primary Road
MEETING DATE: May 6, 2019
BACKGROUND: The Montana Department of Transportation is currently considering
designating Reserve Drive from Highway 93 to Highway 2 as a State Primary road versus a State
Urban Road. This would provide access to additional funding opportunities to improve that
section of roadway in a much more timely fashion.
The designation for this section of roadway is appropriate as:
- The State Urban System is not adequately funded to address the needs of the
identified road segment in light of the continuous growth pressure experience in the
Kalispell area. Kalispell is the second fastest growing area in Montana and last year
was rated as the second fastest growing micropolitan statistical area in the nation.
Kalispell grew 42% from 2000 to 2010 and is on track to grow an additional 25%
from 2010 to 2020.
- West Reserve Drive currently carries up to 17,000 — 20,000 ADT which is excessive
for a safe and reasonable carrying capacity of a two-lane road. West Reserve is
connected to US 93, US 93 Alternate, US 2, and Whitefish Stage Road and the traffic
demand given these connections is more than the current configuration can safely
handle now and into the future.
- The bridge over the Stillwater River approximately 1/4 mile east of the US 93
intersection is aged, is showing signs of settling, and is showing early stages of safety
concerns and bridge deck deterioration. This could easily be a minimum of a $6
Million replacement cost for a five -lane structure.
- It is estimated that the first phase of construction along West Reserve Drive with
bridge re -placement, widening to 5-lane, and construction of a new intersection at
Whitefish Stage will be in the $18-20 million category.
- The Kalispell Urban Area receives approximately $720,000/year in urban funds. We
currently have a balance of under $2 million. Conservatively, in today's dollars, it
will take 28 years to address the first mile of a 3.5 mile system not accounting for
inflation.
- West Reserve Drive is listed as a minor arterial in the 2006 Kalispell Area
Transportation Plan which makes it eligible for state primary designation.
- The 2006 transportation plan recommended that the westerly one mile from US
Highway 93 to Whitefish Stage be reconstructed to a 5-lane minor arterial urban
roadway section (MSN — 18) and the easterly 2.5 miles from Whitefish Stage to US
Highway 2 be upgraded to a three lane urban minor arterial (MSN-19).
- The 2006 Kalispell Area Transportation Plan is 13 years old and is based on data that
is 16 years old. Thus, what was identified as a need has now grown to a crisis
through lack of funds. This piece of roadway needs to be addressed as a priority
ahead of the completion of the Transportation Plan update.
- Traffic in the Kalispell Area is projected to continue to grow over the next 20-year
planning horizon at 2%/year. In 20 years under normal growth, volumes will be
25,000 — 29,700 ADT along this section of roadway and we will still not have
amassed enough urban funds to address the first mile.
FISCAL IMPACTS: There are no anticipated fiscal impacts for this designation to the City of
Kalispell. It is anticipated that additional funding would be available to the Montana Department
of Transportation for improvements to this section of roadway.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 5919
recommending the State of Montana designate Reserve Drive as part of the State Primary
system.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 5919
RESOLUTION NO. 5919
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A REQUEST TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION ON
A 3.5 MILE SECTION OF WEST RESERVE DRIVE BETWEEN U.S. HIGHWAY 93
NORTH AND U.S. HIGHWAY 2 EAST IN KALISPELL, MONTANA FROM "STATE
URBAN SYSTEM" TO "STATE PRIMARY SYSTEM".
WHEREAS, West Reserve Drive is an historic east/west two-lane route that passes through rural
Flathead County carrying vehicular traffic on the north end of the City of Kalispell,
the county seat and trade center of Northwest Montana; and
WHEREAS, the population and density of the City of Kalispell and its environs has grown
dramatically over the last twenty years which has resulted in substantially increased
traffic counts and significant traffic congestion along West Reserve Drive; and
WHEREAS, West Reserve Drive currently carries up to 17,000 — 20,000 Average Daily Trips
(ADT), which is excessive for a safe and reasonable carrying capacity of a two-lane
road. West Reserve is connected to US 93, US 93 Alternate, US 2, and Whitefish
Stage Road and the traffic demand contributed by these connections is more than
the current configuration can reasonably handle; and
WHEREAS, traffic in the Kalispell Area is projected to continue to grow over the next 20-year
planning horizon at 2% a year. In 20 years under normal growth, volumes will be
25,000 — 29,700 ADT along this section of roadway; and
WHEREAS, the bridge over the Stillwater River, located approximately 1/4 mile east of the US
93 intersection, is demonstrating the early stages of safety concerns and bridge deck
deterioration; and
WHEREAS, the 2006 Kalispell Area Transportation Plan, adopted 13 years ago and based on
data derived 16 years ago, recommended that the westerly one mile from US
Highway 93 to Whitefish Stage be reconstructed to a 5-lane minor arterial urban
roadway section (MSN —18) and the easterly 2.5 miles from Whitefish Stage to US
Highway 2 be upgraded to a three lane urban minor arterial (MSN-19); and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that the costs of the first phase of construction along West Reserve
Drive, with bridge replacement, widening to 5-1ane, and construction of a new
intersection at Whitefish Stage, will be in the range of $18-20 million; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell Urban Area receives approximately $720,000/year in urban funds and
carries a current balance of under $2 million. Conservatively, without taking
inflation into account, it will take 28 years to address the first mile of a 3.5 mile
system; and
WHEREAS, in light of the continuous growth pressure the Kalispell area has experienced, the
State Urban System is not adequately funded to address the needs of the identified
road segment; and
WHEREAS, West Reserve Drive is listed as a minor arterial in the 2006 Kalispell Area
Transportation Plan which makes it eligible for state primary designation; and
WHEREAS, the Flathead County Board of Commissioners and the Kalispell Technical Advisory
Committee also support the request for a designation change from "State Urban
System" to "State Primary System".
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Kalispell fully supports the request for a designation change
from "State Urban System" to "State Primary System" on a 3.5 mile section
of West Reserve Drive between U.S. Highway 93 North and U.S. Highway
2 East in Kalispell, Montana.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF KALISPELL, THIS 6TH DAY OF MAY, 2019.
ATTEST:
Judi Funk
Deputy City Clerk
Mark Johnson
Mayor