H4. Res. 6065 RAISE Grant Application SupportCITY 7tial�
KALISPELL
Report To: Doug Russell, City Manager
Development Services
201 1 st Avenue East -
Kalispell, Montana 5991
Phone (406) 758-7940
From: Jarod Nygren, Development Services Director
Subject: Resolution of Support for the City submission of the RAISE grant
application for West Reserve Drive Improvements
Meeting Date: April 4, 2022
BACKGROUND: The City of Kalispell, in cooperation with the Montana Department of
Transportation (MDT), is considering the submittal to the U.S. Department of Transportation
RAISE grant program (replacement of BUILD grant program) for upgrades to West Reserve
Drive. West Reserve Drive has seen large increases in traffic and congestion over the years, as it
is a major east/west route connecting U.S. 93 and U.S. 2. As such, the corridor has been upgraded
by MDT from the urban system to the primary system and is a top priority for improvements by
the Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
MDT completed the West Reserve Drive Corridor Planning study to assess the West Reserve Drive
corridor in the Fall of 2021. A portion of Whitefish Stage Road was also included in the study,
extending .5 miles north of West Reserve drive and 300 feet south of West Reserve Drive. The
purpose of the study was to develop a comprehensive long-range plan for managing the corridor
and to identify feasible improvement options to address the needs and objectives identified by the
public, study partners, and resource agencies.
The recommended improvements from the study would include widening the road from 3 to 5
lanes, including Stillwater Bridge; add 6' landscape boulevards with 8'shared use path on the north
and 5' sidewalk on the south. Whitefish Stage Road would also be improved to urban standards.
Improvements would have the following benefits:
• Reduce the frequency and severity of crashes for all users, in support of MDT's Vision
Zero Goal
• Accommodate existing and future travel demands, therefore reducing travel times and
emissions
• Improve intersection operations and levels of service
• Improve non -motorized travel options and safety
• Employ travel demand management strategies
The RAISE grant application is due April 14 with grant awards to be announced on August 12. If
awarded, the grant would be administered/constructed similarly to the Foys Lake BUILD grant
received by the City in 2018. The project will be submitted as Design -Build allowing for the most
efficient implementation.
FISCAL IMPACTS: The grant application will be for $25 million dollars. The cost to the City
of Kalispell would be in the administrative or in -kind assistance in preparation/administration of
the grant, where needed. Additional cash needed to fund full project will be provided by MDT.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that Council adopt Resolution 6065, recommending
the City of Kalispell submit the West Reserve Drive improvement project for grant funding to the
U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE Transportation grant program.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 6065
RESOLUTION NO.6065
A RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL FOR THE SUBNHSSION OF AN APPLICATION TO
A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR A "REBUILDING
AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABLILTY AND EQUITY" (RAISE)
GRANT TO FUND A FIVE LANE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR WEST RESERVE
DRIVE
WHEREAS, West Reserve Drive is an historic east/west highway route that passes through rural
Flathead County carrying vehicular traffic through the center of the City of
Kalispell, the county seat and trade center of Northwest Montana; and
WHEREAS, over time, traffic counts, the population and density of the City of Kalispell and its
environs have grown dramatically with the increase in the National Park tourist
traffic and trade traffic resulting in significant excessive congestion and traffic
impediments in and around the City; and
WHEREAS, a five lane improvement option for West Reserve Drive, including multi —modal
improvements was considered in the West Reserve Drive Corridor Study conducted
by the Montana Department of Transportation [MDOT] that was completed in the
Fall of 2021; and
WHEREAS, MDOT, Flathead County, the City of Kalispell, and the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) used a collaborative process to develop the study, with
focused outreach efforts to engage the public, key stakeholders, and resource
agencies; and
WHEREAS, the U.S Department of Transportation set aside $1.5 billion in discretionary grants
through the new Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and
Equity" (RAISE) transportation grant program to be awarded on a competitive basis
for projects that will have a "significant local or regional impact"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell, in cooperation with MDOT, is making application for funds
through the RAISE grant program to upgrade the West Reserve Drive Corridor; and
WHEREAS, the project proposed by MDOT would widen West Reserve Drive from 3 to 5 lanes,
including Stillwater Bridge; add 6' landscape boulevards with 8'shared use path on
the north and 5' sidewalk on the south; and improve Whitefish Stage Road to urban
standards; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project will have significant local and regional impact as it will
improve the current traffic congestion points along West Reserve Drive, reduce the
frequency and severity of crashes for all users, accommodate existing and future
travel demands and better accommodate all modes of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Kalispell application for the RAISE grant provides additional
opportunity for partnerships with the State, Flathead County, and the City of
Kalispell; and
WHEREAS, as the project meets all criteria of the RAISE grant program, application for such
funding should have the support of the City of Kalispell.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Kalispell City Council approves and fully supports the application of
the City of Kalispell for a RAISE funding grant for improvements to West
Reserve Drive.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS 4TH DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
ATTEST:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Mark Johnson
Mayor