Resolution 6065 - RAISE Grant Application ApprovalRESOLUTION NO.6065
A RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL FOR THE SUBMISSION 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:
4A;,!:R,,w,ckborst, CMC
City Clerk
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Mark Johns6��
Mayor