Transportation Plan Executive SummaryEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SEPTEMBER 2021
iiiKALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
CONTENTS
1. Overview .............................................1
2. Move 2040 Transportation Vision,
Goals, and Strategies ...........................1
3. Public and Stakeholder
Engagement .........................................3
4. Growth Forecasts and Projected
Conditions ............................................4
5. Alternatives Analysis ...........................8
6. Project Identification and
Prioritization ........................................9
7. Active Transportation ..........................18
8. Policy Plan ..........................................18
1KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
1. OVERVIEW
What is Move 2040?
The Move 2040 Kalispell Area Transportation Plan is the
cornerstone of the transportation planning process for
Kalispell. The Plan serves as a twenty-year blueprint for
transportation investment and policy that considers all
modes of transportation including roadways, transit, bicy-
cles, pedestrians, trails, freight and aviation. Development
of the Plan is based on an extensive participatory process
which drew input from partners, stakeholders, and the
general public.
The Move 2040 plan document describes the current sta-
tus of the Kalispell area transportation system, projects
population and employment growth, estimates changes
in travel demand, and evaluates the future transportation
system across a range of scenarios. In addition, the doc-
ument establishes a transportation vision and set of goals
which serve to anchor the Plan and its recommendations
in the desires and priorities of the community.
A fundamental product of the planning process is a list of
Major Street Network (MSN) and Transportation System
Management (TSM) project recommendations. These rec-
ommendations incorporate the technical analysis com-
pleted throughout the planning process, as well as the
results of community engagement, to identify and prior-
itize investments that will help the community realize its
transportation goals and vision.
Background
The City of Kalispell is a growing community that is nation-
ally known as a tourist destination due to its proximity to
Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, the local ski indus-
try at Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain
Ski Area, and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The
Move 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan was devel-
oped to address the present needs of the community and
to plan and direct future growth. The Plan continues from
the previous transportation plan adopted in 2008.
study area
The study area for the project was established in collabo-
ration with the Urban Transportation Advisory Committee
(TAC). It includes the urban boundary determined through
census data and is set by the Montana Department of
Transportation (MDT) in coordination with local officials.
The study area is bounded by West Valley Drive to the
west, Birch Grove Road to the north, Flathead River to
the east, and Auction Road to the south. The Move 2040
study area is shown in Figure 1.
2. MOVE 2040 TRANSPORTATION VISION, GOALS, AND STRATEGIES
Move 2040 was guided by the transportation Vision,
Goals and Strategies. While the Vision communicates the
overarching transportation aspirations and priorities in
general terms, the Goals and Strategies use more precise
language to describe how the community will achieve its
desired future.
The Vision, Goals and Strategies were defined in collab-
oration with the SRC, stakeholders, and the public, and
played a fundamental role in guiding the planning pro-
cess and developing project recommendations. The Move
2040 Vision and Goals are summarized below. Full docu-
mentation of the Strategies can be found in Chapter 1 of
the plan document.
vision:
Move 2040 is focused on preserving Kalispell’s
unique character while encouraging and ac-
commodating future growth. Kalispell is the
commercial and governmental center of the
Flathead Valley with a diverse economy, robust
employment, and vibrant neighborhoods. The
Plan celebrates this identity, and presents a
transportation investment approach that will
enhance the community’s cherished qualities by
preserving community, addressing congestion,
increasing connectivity, and supporting a revival
of Highway 93/Main Street through downtown.
Move 2040 looks to harness the opportunities of
the future by advancing projects that support de-
sired growth. The Plan embraces the development
of key corridors, including the Kalispell Bypass,
West Reserve Drive, Four Mile Drive, and Rose
Crossing, as key to improving regional mobility,
supporting economic development, and optimiz-
ing existing transportation infrastructure.
2 MOVE 2040
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Study Area
Kalispell Urban Boundary
Evergreen
Kalispell City Boundary
0 10.5 Miles I
Service Layer Credits: Sources: Esri, USGS,
NOAA
Figure 1: Study Area
3KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
goals:
1: Safety and Security
GOAL: Create a transportation system that incorporates
safety and security throughout all modes and for all users.
2: Congestion Reduction
GOAL: Create a transportation system that optimizes
mobility and connectivity, allowing users to move from
one place to another in a direct route with minimal travel
times and delays.
3. Infrastructure Condition
GOAL: Proactively preserve and maintain existing trans-
portation system infrastructure.
4. Environmental Sustainability
GOAL: Prioritize environmental stewardship in the devel-
opment, maintenance, and operation of the transporta-
tion system.
5. System Reliability for Freight Movement
and Economic Vitality
GOAL: Create a transportation system that supports eco-
nomic competitiveness, vitality, and prosperity by provid-
ing for the efficient movement of people and goods.
6. Reduce Project Delays
GOAL: Provide efficient, cost-effective management and
operation to accelerate transportation project delivery
and ensure system reliability.
3. PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Public engagement is a key ingredient for an effective
planning process. Meaningful public engagement pro-
vides easy access to project information and addresses
questions and concerns raised by stakeholders and com-
munity members. Public engagement is an avenue for
community members to provide input, and the process is
designed to have a measurable effect on the Plan and its
outcomes.
The project team emphasized an inclusive engagement
process that would capture the diverse perspectives and
priorities of the community. Key stakeholders involved in
the engagement process include:
»Members of the general public, who were critical
in providing input on goals, strategies, and priorities.
The public was essential in identifying the communi-
ty’s transportation needs and establishing the invest-
ments that will be most crucial over the next twenty
years.
»Study Review Committee (SRC), which included a
variety of key stakeholders and partners such as City,
County, and MDT staff. The SRC played a fundamen-
tal role throughout the planning process by providing
direction at key decision points and helping to ensure
that the Plan was reflective of the community’s trans-
portation vision.
Methods and activities
The public engagement process consisted of three Phases,
each leveraging different strategies to educate partici-
pants and collect feedback.
Phase I: Listening Sessions
Phase I of public engagement for Move 2040 consisted
of three public input meetings, which were held at the
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce over two days in February
2020. The meetings, referred to as Listening Sessions,
were designed to both educate community members on
the planning process and gather open-ended input on
transportation issues within the study area.
4 MOVE 2040
Phase II: Community Updates
Phase II involved a digital information campaign to com-
municate plan progress to the Kalispell community. The
project team initiated a social media campaign through
Instagram and Facebook to provide recent project materi-
als and inform the public regarding the status of the Plan.
Phase III: Final Outreach and Input
Phase III of the Plan’s public outreach component in-
cluded two in-person open houses held on May 26th at
Kalispell City Hall/Council Chambers. The open houses
were intended to present the finished plan to community
members and provide attendees the opportunity to give
feedback on project findings and recommendations.
4. GROWTH FORECASTS AND PROJECTED CONDITIONS
PoPulation and eMPloyMent
Forecasts
A fundamental aspect of understanding future traffic con-
ditions is forecasting population and employment growth.
Accurately forecasting growth trends and allocating future
population and jobs is essential for modeling the envi-
ronment that will determine travel demand over the next
twenty years.
The project team began the forecasting process by fit-
ting base year (2017) population and employment data,
which was provided by the MDT, to the study area. From
here, the team completed the forecasts based on growth
assumptions for different subareas of the study area.
Overall population and employment forecasts for the
Kalispell study area are presented in Table 1. The fore-
casts are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. Full documen-
tation of the forecasting process and results can be found
in Chapter 4 of the plan document.
Table 1: Projected Household and Employment
Growth for the Study Area
2017 2040 Change
Annual
Percent
Change
Household
Growth 17,579 26,834 9,255 2.4%
Employment
Growth
27,432 39,110 11,678 1.9%
Projected conditions
The population and employment forecasts were used
to project future traffic conditions within the context of
anticipated development. This was done by integrating
the forecasts into the travel demand model (TDM) and
observing the output, including volumes, capacity, and
the resulting volume-to-capacity ratios (V/C) and level of
service (LOS). The analysis made use of the 2040 E+C
(Existing plus Committed) model, which forecasts traffic
conditions assuming that only projects “committed” by
a local agency or MDT will be added beyond existing
facilities.
Areawide analysis of projected conditions was based on
outputs from both the 2017 and 2040 E+C models. A
comparison of baseline and future conditions was neces-
sary to understand the changes in travel demand that the
study area will face over the coming decades. Key metrics
used in the analysis include Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT),
Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT), and V/C ratios—these are
summarized below. Full documentation of the projected
conditions analysis and results can be found in Chapter 5
of the plan document.
Vehicle Miles and Hours Traveled
VMT and VHT are system-level metrics used to understand
the conditions of the transportation system as a whole.
Both VMT and VHT increased significantly from the 2017
to 2040, with VMT increasing by over 80 percent and VHT
increasing by over 40 percent. These results are summa-
rized in Table 2.
Table 2: Comparison of 2017 and 2040 VMT
and VHT
2017 2040 % Change
VMT 733,000 1,325,942 80.9%
VHT 24,500 34,912 42.5%
Volume-to-Capacity Ratios
V/C ratios are used to identify system locations with the
most significant capacity constraints that require more
detailed and operations-based traffic analysis. A compar-
ison was completed between existing (2017) and project-
ed (2040) conditions based on outputs of the E+C TDM.
Figure 4 on page 7 shows 2040 V/C ratios for the
study area.
5KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
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Employment Growth 2018-2040
51 - 100
101 - 250
1 - 50
251 - 1600
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Figure 2: Projected Employment Growth (allocation by traffic analysis zone [TAZ])
6 MOVE 2040
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Household Growth 2018-2040
51 - 100
101 - 250
1 - 50
251 - 1265
0 10.5 Miles I
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Figure 3: Projected Household Growth (allocation by TAZ)
7KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
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Volume to Capacity 2040
A-C: 0.0 to .79
D: .8 to .89
E: .9 to 1.0
F: > 1.0 0 10.5 Miles I
Inset
Figure 4: 2040 Volume-to-Capacity Ratios
8 MOVE 2040
5. ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
As part of Move 2040, 10 alternative scenarios (four with
sub-alternatives) were evaluated to analyze the effects
of one or more changes to the Kalispell transportation
network. In total, 14 alternative models were run. The
analysis was designed to assess the relative local and sys-
temwide benefits of a range of potential improvements
to corridors throughout the network. A summary of the
alternative scenarios is provided below.
»Alternative 1 assumes the completion of the south-
ern leg of the Highway 93A corridor from Foys Lake
Road to its southern junction with Highway 93.
»Alternative 2 evaluates a three-lane section on
Highway 93/Main Street from 7th Street to West
Center Street.
»Alternative 2A carries forward the assumptions
from Alternatives 1 and 2. However, Alternative 2A
assumes the full build out of Highway 93A instead of
only the southern leg (as discussed in Alternative 1).
»Alternative 3 evaluates the benefits of connecting
both 8th Avenue WN and 3rd Avenue WN between
Highway 2/Idaho Street and West Center Street.
»Alternative 3A combines the assumptions of
Alternatives 2 and 3, measuring improved north-
south connectivity between Idaho and West Center
Street as well as reduced capacity along the Main
Street portion of Highway 93 north of the couplet to
West Center Street.
»Alternative 4 evaluates the development of a three-
lane roadway along the Willow Glen corridor from
Highway 93 South to Conrad Road, then continuing
along Conrad Road to Shady Lane, where it would
continue until its junction with MT 35.
»Alternative 5 considers the potential connection be-
tween LaSalle Road/Highway 2 and Conrad Road.
»Alternative 5A combines the assumptions from
Alternatives 4 and 5, improving the Willow Glen/
Conrad Road/Shady Lane corridor in addition to pro-
viding for a new connection between Highway 2 and
Conrad Road.
»Alternative 6 assumes an extension of 7th Avenue
EN from Highway 2/Idaho Street to East Center
Street/Woodland Avenue.
»Alternative 6A combines the assumptions of both
Alternative 4 and 6, including a Whitefish Stage/7th
Street extension with improvements to the Willow
Glen/Conrad Road/Shady Lane corridor.
»Alternative 7 evaluates the development of an im-
proved three-lane corridor along Evergreen/Four
Mile Drive from Whitefish Stage to its junction with
Farm-to-Market Road.
»Alternative 8 develops an improved three-lane facil-
ity along the Rose Crossing corridor from Helena Flats
to the Highway 93.
»Alternative 9 combines the assumptions from
Alternative 7 and 8 and models improved east-west
connectivity along both Four Mile Drive/Evergreen
and Rose Crossing.
»Alternative 10 was developed to include the corridor-
level improvements determined to constitute a pre-
ferred build condition.
9KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
alternative 10 (PreFerred Build
condition)
Alternative 10 was developed to incorporate the corridor-
level improvements determined to constitute a preferred
build condition. Alternative 10 improvements include:
»Completion of the Kalispell Bypass (Alternative 1)
»Three Lane Highway 93/Main Street – Couplet to
West Center (Alternative 2)
»Whitefish Stage/7th Avenue Extension (Alternative 6)
»Evergreen Extension/Four Mile Drive Corridor
Improvements (Alternative 7)
»Rose Crossing Corridor Improvements (Alternative 8)
»West Reserve Corridor Improvements
Like the other alternatives, Alternative 10 was assessed
against the 2040 E+C model network with regard to VMT,
VHT, and percentage of congested roadway segments
on the systems (as measured in miles). Alternative 10
demonstrated a 0.3 percent decrease in VMT and 1.1 per-
cent decrease in VHT, and provided the lowest percentage
of congested roadway segments of all alternatives at 7.9
percent. These results are summarized in Table 3.
Table 3: Alternative 10 Area-Wide Impacts
Alternative Total VMT Total VHT
Percent of
Congested
Roadway
Segments
2040 No Build 1,325,941 34,911 9.5%
2040 Build –
Alternative 10
1,322,458 34,537 7.9%
Alternative 10 shows a redistribution of traffic across the
study area with modeled improvements in east-west ca-
pacity. The addition of this new east-west capacity, cou-
pled with completion of Highway 93A, results in some
LOS issues along the Highway 93A corridor. For exam-
ple, segments of Highway 93A are congesting (LOS E) in
Alternative 10 between Airport Road and Four Mile Drive.
Under Alternative 10, travel demand on Highway 93 South
and Highway 93/Main Street are reduced by between 25
to 40 percent. Highway 93/Main Street operates at LOS
E south of the Courthouse Couplet, and LOS D from the
Courthouse Couplet to West Center. Alternative 10 shows
the best LOS along Highway 93/Main Street of the alter-
natives that modeled reduced capacity on this corridor.
However, the corridor remains congested with an LOS D
or worse through the modeled three-lane section.
Alternative 10 serves to further trends witnessed in
Alternative 9, in which traffic moves towards the complet-
ed Highway 93A, putting new travel demand on Highway
93A. Future travel demand under Alternative 10 is shown
in Figure 5.
Full documentation of the alternatives analysis pro-
cess and results can be found in Chapter 6 of the plan
document.
6. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORITIZATION
identiFication oF Project
recoMMendations
The recommendations identification process identified
recommended projects in two categories: Transportation
System Management (TSM) and Major Street Network
(MSN).
The TSM recommendations reflect intersection-level im-
provements which respond to both safety and traffic op-
erations-related issues at an isolated location, typically
an intersection. TSM recommendations are developed
based on a review of more localized existing and project-
ed conditions.
The MSN recommendations reflect larger corridor-level
improvements aimed at both improving existing corridors
or upgrading corridors which are projected to require a
higher standard related to safety and operations.
Figure 6 on page 11 and Figure 7 on page 14 show
the TSM and MSN project recommendations identified
within Move 2040. Table 4 on page 12 and Table 5 on
page 15 list the TSM and MSN project recommenda-
tions, respectively. Full details on the recommendations
identification process, project descriptions, and cost es-
timates are provided in Chapter 7 of the plan document.
10 MOVE 2040
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010.5MilesI 0 10.5 Miles I
Legend
Study Area2040 E+C LOS
A-C: 0.0 to .79
D: .8 to .89
E: .9 to 1.0
F: > 1.0
Legend
Study Area 2040 Alt 10 LOS
A-C: 0.0 to .79
D: .8 to .89
E: .9 to 1.0
F: > 1.0
Figure 5: 2040 Alternative 10 LOS
11KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
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7
38 40
36
35
37
39
33
34
1
2
3
4
6
8
14
15
17
18
19
16
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10
11
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27 28
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TSM Corridors
!TSM Intersections 0 10.5 Miles I
Inset
Figure 6: Transportation System Management Recommendations
12 MOVE 2040
Map
ID Corridor Intersection/Termini Short Description Cost
1 Conrad Rd Willow Glen Dr Install roundabout $1,500,000
2 2nd St East Woodland Ave Install roundabout Committed
3
2nd Street
East/
Conrad
Drive
Woodland Park Dr Install roundabout $1,500,000
4 Meridian Rd 7th St W Install roundabout $1,500,000
5 Meridian
Road
Center
Street
Appleway
Drive Increase storage for NB and SB left turn bays $80,000
6 Four-Mile Dr W Springcreek Rd Install roundabout or redesign to four-way
intersection (consider as part of MSN 5 or 21)$2,250,000
7 Three Mile
Drive
Heavens
Peak Dr.Stillwater Rd.
Monitor for signal warrants at Stillwater Rd. and
Heavens Peak; consider access modifications on
other minor intersections (consider as part of
MSN 36)
NA
8 Whitefish
Stage Tronstad Road Monitor & Improve turn lanes and signal control
per ongoing study and past TIS $320,000
9 Whitefish
Stage Rose Crossing Monitor & Improve turn lanes and signal control
per ongoing Corridor Study and past TIS $320,000
10 Whitefish
Stage West Reserve Address as part of MSN 27 or 28 NA
11 Whitefish
Stage Evergreen Drive Install roundabout $1,500,000
12 Whitefish
Stage Rail Park Drive Monitor turning movements, evaluate as build
out of Rail Park continues NA
13 Highway 2 Woodland Park Drive/
Flathead Drive Lengthen EB/WB left turn storage bay $160,000
14 Highway 2 Montclair Drive Monitor for need to install WB right turn lane/EB
left turn bay extension NA
15 Highway 2 MT 35
Improve turn bay length on inside EB left turn
lane. Modify SB to dedicated right turn, right
turn/thru and dedicated left turn. Evaluate EB
geometry to support two thru and dedicated EB
right turn.
$1,050,000
16 Highway 2 Evergreen
Prioirity Need: EB Left turn Lane and SB Right
Turn Lane; Secondary Need: WB left turn lane
and NB Right Turn lane.
$320,000
17 Highway 2 Reserve
Add dedicated turn lanes all approaches.
Evaluate as part of Reserve Street Corridor
Study.
$1,050,000
18 Highway 2 Rose Crossing EB/WB left turn lanes, SB right turn lane.
Imrpove rail grade crossing.$700,000
19 Highway 93 Silverbrook/Tronstad Road Convert to 3/4 access $160,000
20 Highway 93 Wild Pine Drive/Ponderosa
Lane
Consolidate into future full movement
intersection, monitor for intersection control.$700,000
Table 4: Transportation System Management Recommendations
...continued on page 13
13KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Map
ID Corridor Intersection/Termini Short Description Cost
21 Highway 93 Eagle Valley Ranch Future 3/4 Access NA
22 Highway 93 Rose Crossing Future Signalized Intersection Committed
23 Highway 93 Lincoln Street 3/4 access intersection (both sides)NA
24 Highway 93 .5 mi. north of West Reserve Future Signalized Intersection Committed
25 Highway 93 West Reserve Modify to two EB/WB dedicated left turn lanes,
addition of new EB/WB thru lanes.$875,000
26 Highway 93 Treeline Modify intersection to add WB & EB left turn
lanes & SB right turn lane Committed
27 Highway 93 Grandview Dr Add dedicated SB right turn lane $80,000
28 MT 35 Helena Flats Add WB right turn lane $80,000
29 Highway
93A Four Mile Drive Monitor for future signal warrants at ramps NA
30 Stillwater
Road Timberwolf Parkway Construct Roundabout Committed
31 Stillwater
Road Four Mile Drive Monitor for Intersection Control NA
32 Three Mile
Drive West Springcreek Road Convert to four-way intersection, monitor for
roundabout Committed
33 Highway 2 West Study
Limits Hwy 93A Continue to Implement Safety Study/Develop
Corridor Study $200,000
34 Highway 2 LaSalle/MT
35 Birch Grove Develop Corridor Study $412,500
35 Highway 2/
Idaho Hwy 93A LaSalle Develop Corridor Study $240,000
36 Highway 93 Highway 2 West Reserve Develop Corridor Study $285,000
37 Highway 93 West
Reserve MT 40 Develop Detailed Access Control Plan Committed
38 Meridian
Road 7th Street W Highway 2/
Idaho Develop Corridor Study $75,000
39 MT 35 Highway 2 MT 206 Develop Corridor Study $275,000
40 Highway 93
(Main Street)12th Street Highway 2
(Idaho)Develop Corridor Study $250,000
Study Area Wide Update Transportation plan on 5-to-7-year cycle $300,000
14 MOVE 2040
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40
32
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42
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15
13
41
5
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2
12
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20
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24
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31
28
23
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36
37
38
26
7
48 47
44
45
35
Legend
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Figure 7: Major Street Network Recommendations
15KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Map
ID Corridor Termini Termini Short Description Length
(miles)Cost
1 West Reserve
West
Springcreek
Road
Stillwater Road Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
2 West Reserve West Valley
Road
West
Springcreek
Road
Construct to a three-lane
urban major collector 1.0 $2,500,000
3 Four Mile
Drive Stillwater Rd Northland Rd Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 0.5 $1,250,000
4 Four Mile
Drive Northland Road Hwy 93 Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 0.3 $750,000
5 Four Mile
Drive
W Springcreek
Road Stillwater Road Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
6 Whitefish
Stage West Reserve Rose Crossing Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
7 Whitefish
Stage Rose Crossing Birch Grove Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 2.5 $4,250,000
8 Whitefish
Stage California Street Evergreen Drive Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.4 $3,500,000
9 Whitefish
Stage Evergreen Drive West Reserve
Drive
Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
10 7th Avenue EN Highway 2 California Street Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 0.5 $1,250,000
10a 7th Avenue EN East Center/
Woodland Dr Highway 2 Construct to a two-lane urban
minor arterial 0.3 $850,000
11 Helena Flats MT 35 East Reserve
Drive
Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 1.1 $2,337,500
12 Helena Flats East Reserve
Drive Rose Crossing Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 1.0 $2,125,000
13 Foys Lake Rd Whalebone Dr Valley View Dr Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 0.9 $1,530,000
14 Rose Crossing Whitefish Stage Highway 2 Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.7 $4,250,000
15 Rose Crossing Highway 2 Helena Flats
Road
Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 0.9 $1,530,000
16 Stillwater Rd Four Mile Drive West Reserve
Drive
Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
17 Sillwater Road Three Mile Drive Four Mile Drive Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
18 New Corridor Foys Lake US 2 Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 1.0 $2,700,000
19 W Springcreek
Road Highway 2 Three Mile Drive Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
20 W Springcreek
Road Four Mile Drive West Reserve
Drive
Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.0 $2,500,000
21 Farm to
Market (424)Three Mile Drive Four Mile Drive Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.1 $2,750,000
22 Willow Glen
Drive
Woodland
Avenue Conrad Dr Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.1 $2,750,000
Table 5: Major Street Network Recommendations
...continued on page 16
16 MOVE 2040
Map
ID Corridor Termini Termini Short Description Length
(miles)Cost
23 Willow Glen
Drive Highway 93 Woodland
Avenue
Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.5 $3,750,000
24 Conrad Dr Willow Glenn Shady Lane Construct to a two-lane urban
minor arterial 1.2 $2,040,000
25 Shady Ln Conrad Drive MT 35 Construct to a two-lane urban
minor arterial 0.7 $1,190,000
26 Trumble Creek Rose Crossing Birch Grove Upgrade to a two-lane urban
major collector 2.5 $4,250,000
27 West Reserve
Drive Highway 93 Whitefish Stage Construct to a five-lane urban
principal arterial 1.0 $6,600,000
28 West Reserve
Drive Whitefish Stage Highway 2 Construct to a five-lane urban
principal arterial 1.5 $8,500,000
29 East Reserve
Drive Highway 2 Helena Flats
Road
Construct to a three-lane
urban major collector 1.0 $2,500,000
30 Grandview/
Evergreen Highway 93 Whitefish Stage Construct to a two-lane urban
minor arterial 1.0 $5,160,000
31 Evergreen Dr Whitefish Stage Highway 2 Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 1.4 $3,500,000
32 Sunnyside Dr
(extension)5th Avenue W Airport Road Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 0.5 $1,700,000
33 7th Avenue W Bluestone Dr Sunnyside Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 0.3 $1,020,000
34 New Corridor Conrad Dr LaSalle Rd Construct to a two-lane urban
major collector 0.8 $2,720,000
35 MT 35 LaSalle Rd MT 206
Construct to a five-lane urban
minor arterial to Flathead
River; transition to a three-
lane urban minor arterial for
balance of project
5.7 $16,460,000
36 Three-Mile
Drive
Farm to Market
(424)Meridian Road Construct to a three-lane
urban minor arterial 2.0 $5,000,000
37 Two-Mile Dr W Springcreek
Road Meridian Road Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 2.0 $3,400,000
38 Highway 93A Airport Road Foys Lake
Construct to a four-lane
divided urban principal
arterial + interchange at
Foys Lake
0.4 $15,000,000
39 Highway 93A Base Camp Dr Foys Lake
Construct to a four-lane
divided urban principal
arterial + interchange at
Airport Road
1.0 $18,000,000
40 Highway 93A Highway 93 Base Camp Dr
93A mainline and Base Camp
Dr. improvements currently
under study (incl. Hwy 93/93A
intersection)
0.3 TBD
41 Cemetery
Road Airport Road Highway 93 Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 0.9 $1,530,000
42 Base Camp
Drive Highway 93A Cemetery Rd Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 0.8 $2,040,000
...continued on page 17
17KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Map
ID Corridor Termini Termini Short Description Length
(miles)Cost
43 Base Camp
Drive Ashley Meadows Highway 93 Construct to a two-lane urban
minor collector 0.4 $1,020,000
44 Rose Crossing West Valley
Road Highway 93 Corridor preservation 3.0 $7,500,000
45 Church Drive West Valley
Road Highway 93 Corridor preservation 3.3 $5,610,000
46 Church Drive Highway 93 Whitefish Stage Corridor preservation 1.0 $1,700,000
47 Stillwater Rd West Reserve
Drive Church Drive Corridor preservation 3.1 $7,750,000
48
West
Springcreek
Road
West Reserve
Drive Church Drive Corridor preservation 2.9 $7,250,000
18 MOVE 2040
Prioritization oF Project
recoMMendations
The Move 2040 goals express key priorities and desired
outcomes for the Kalispell Urban Area transportation sys-
tem. The goals help to establish the long-term vision for
both the City and adjacent planning area. For this reason,
it is important that transportation project recommenda-
tions play a role in making progress towards the goals.
The goals were used as a foundation to develop an ob-
jective methodology for prioritizing the MSN and TSM
recommendations. The methodology also reflects key pri-
orities identified through public engagement and empha-
sized by the City. The final results of the prioritization are
shown in Figure 6 on page 11 and Figure 7 on page
14 (project IDs on the maps correspond to the Map
IDs in Table 4 on page 12 and Table 5 on page 15).
Full details on the prioritization process and results are
provided in Chapter 8 of the plan document.
7. ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure are a critical compo-
nent of moving people to and through the Flathead Valley,
particularly within the Move 2040 study area. Given the
focus on recreational amenities in the Kalispell area cou-
pled with growth projections over the next twenty-year
planning horizon, closing gaps and improving access to
safe bike and pedestrian facilities was a central focus in
developing holistic transportation recommendations.
Move 2040 provides a detailed analysis of existing and
proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities based on a core
set of conditions, applying a weighted score to those fa-
cilities and connections that are most beneficial to public
safety and the growing community. The analysis produced
in a list of ranked projects for each of four bicycle and
pedestrian route categories: Shared-Use Paths, Sidewalks
and Paths, On-Street Designated Bike Lanes, and On-
Street Shared Bike Lanes. Prioritization results for Shared
Use Paths and Sidewalks and Paths are shown in Figure
10 and Figure 11, respectively. Full details on the bicycle
and pedestrian project prioritization methodology and
results are provided in Chapter 9 of the plan document.
8. POLICY PLAN
The Policy Plan element of Move 2040 provides the City
of Kalispell policy guidance to support development of the
transportation system. The Policy Plan encompasses the
priorities and policy direction established within other lo-
cal plans, and leverages collaboration with stakeholders
and agency partners to set forth a vision for mobility, ac-
cessibility, and connectivity that will serve the community
for decades to come. Key elements of the Policy Plan are
summarized below. The full Policy Plan can be found in
Chapter 11 of the plan document.
doWntoWn-highWay 93 Main street
The redevelopment of Kalispell’s downtown is part of the
City’s vision to promote economic development, improve
employment opportunities, improve housing opportu-
nities, and expand the community’s tax base. While the
downtown remains a centerpiece of the community, high
traffic volumes, commercial truck use, vehicle speed, and
a lack of pedestrian facilities have changed Main Street
from the bustling, pedestrian friendly destination that it
was mid-century. It will be important for the City to bal-
ance its vision for Highway 93 with the corridor’s role as
part of the National Highway System (NHS), and collab-
orate closely with MDT in planning for the future of Main
Street.
Figure 8: View of Downtown Kalispell in 1940
Figure 9: View of Downtown Kalispell Today
19KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Figure 10: Shared Use Paths Project Priority Map
20 MOVE 2040
Figure 11: Sidewalks Project Priority Map
21KALISPELL AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN
Future Travel Demand Downtown
A series of areawide TDM runs were evaluated during the
Alternatives Analysis phase of Move 2040. Outputs from
the analysis allowed for the comparison of various sys-
tem-wide improvements related to both Highway 93A and
Highway 93/Main Street. Two potential improvements are
of particular importance to the downtown—completion of
U.S. Highway 93A and a lane reduction on a portion of
the Highway 93/Main Street corridor. Key takeaways from
the analysis are summarized below:
»Completion of U.S. Highway 93A (Alternative 1) re-
duces traffic volumes by as much as 18 percent from
south of the Courthouse Couplet through 2nd Street.
Completion of U.S. Highway 93A will continue to at-
tract additional travel demand.
»The reduction in capacity on Highway 93/Main Street
(Alternative 2) does not increase travel demand on
U.S. Highway 93A.
»The combination of a lane reduction on Highway
93/Main Street and completion of U.S. Highway
93A (Alternative 2A) reduces travel demand on the
Highway 93/Main Street corridor by nearly 30 per-
cent. LOS remains E or worse on segments modeled
with reduced capacity.
»Alternative 10 results in LOS E along Highway 93/
Main Street just south of the Courthouse Couplet and
LOS D through from 8th Street to West Center.
recoMMended Functional class MaP
The project team worked with the City to create a rec-
ommended functional classification map. To develop the
map, the team evaluated the existing functional classifi-
cation system within the study area against FHWA guide-
lines for recommended percentages for each functionally
classified roadway. This assessment revealed the follow-
ing for the existing system:
»Too few minor arterial and minor collector roadways.
»Excess number of roadways classified as local.
The City’s recommended functional classification map
addresses these issues in order to bring the roadway sys-
tem into alignment with FHWA best practices. The City’s
recommended functional classification map is shown in-
Figure 12.
22 MOVE 2040
UV292
UV424
UV424
UV503
UV548
")35
£¤93A
£¤93A
£¤93
£¤93
£¤2
£¤93
£¤2
£¤2
£¤93
WHITEFISH
STAGE
E RESERVE DR
HELENA FLATS RD
WILLOW GLEN DR
FOUR MILE DR
W SPRINGCREEK RD
W RESERVE DR
ROSE XING
Legend
Study Area
Evergreen
Kalispell
Future Functional Class
Principal Arterial
Minor Arterial
Minor Arterial (Proposed)
Major Collector
Major Collector (Proposed)
Minor Collector
Minor Collector (Proposed)
Local 0 10.5 Miles I
Inset
*This map is for local planning purposes and does not represent the FHWA-approved
functional classification.
Figure 12: Recommended City of Kalispell Functional Classification Map