Kalispell Bypass Public Comment from Donald Wayne LewisAimee Brunckhorst
From: Lewis, Donald <lewisdw@westinghouse.com>
Sent: Monday, April 10, 2023 5:12 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL FW: Kalispell Bypass
Attachments: US 2 bypass.docx
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Mr. Mark Johnson and Council
I grew up in Kalispell and I have an idea that should be considered — even if for just a moment. I presented this
idea to Ed Toays at the Montana Highway Dept. in 2019 because he did a good job on the US 93 Bypass but I
never heard a response back — yay or nay. I see the dept has now decided to widen Reserve Drive. I think a
better plan would be to extend the Bypass to US 2. The Bypass has been great for the city allowing traffic to
move across town easily AND its many exits allow access to various parts of the city. That is something most
Montana cities lack as the interstate system was set up in Montana to move between cities rather than move
commuter traffic.
Most of the traffic on Reserve is just getting between US 2 and US 93 rather than the residences
there. Whether Reserve is widened or not, you should at least think about the advantages of extending the
bypass to US 2. Right now there are very few structures between those highways north of Reserve but in a
few short years that opportunity is gone forever. Yes I understand the extension may cost a lot more than
widening Reserve but wow, the extension would allow unrestricted commuter traffic anywhere around the
city from both US 2 and US 93. You can read what I presented to the highway dept below and look at the
attached idea on a concept routing. Thanks in advance for consideration.
Donald Wayne Lewis, PE, SE
Consulting Engineer
Westinghouse Government Services
Cell: +1 (720) 491-8544
Email: lewisdw@westinghouse.com
From: Lewis, Donald Wayne
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2019 9:59 PM
To: 'etoays@mt.gov'<etoays@M ..gov>
Subject: Kalispell Bypass
Ed
Having grown up in Kalispell I have witnessed the area grow into a nice sized community. I worked for the Montana
Highway Department several years ago and was one of the engineers on the 4-lane project at LaSalle Rd. I now live in
Denver but get back there every year to visit my parents and have a great deal of interest in the new bypass. I applaud
the design and work you and others have put in to make it a very useful controlled -access highway serving the city
residents, commerce traffic and visitors.
As you know, the traffic on Reserve Dr. at the north end of the bypass is terrible! I am sure you have noted that the
bypass could be extended to US 2 north of Reserve Dr. which would make the bypass a perfect alternate thoroughfare
for both US 2 and US 93 and relieve the congestion on Reserve Drive. I attached a rough sketch showing a concept of
how it could be routed. Throw in an interchange at Whitefish Stage and terminate Reserve Dr. at a tee into Hutton
Ranch to complete the extension. Hutton Ranch could be extended north under the new bypass since there is an
elevation drop and continue on to the new Rose Crossing Rd. or wherever needed.
Yes it would require another round of funding requests but it would sure make the benefits of the existing bypass even
better.
Donald Wayne Lewis, PE
Consulting Engineer
Westinghouse Electric Company
Phone: +1 (720) 491-8544
Email:I_� isd_ ( sti_n house.com
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