Resolution 5919 - Support to Change Designation of West Reserve DrRESOLUTION 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-lane, 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
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