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04-15-26 Dennis Bar Request for MDT Traffic StudyCity of Kalispell City Commission 201 11t Avenue East P.O. Box 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903 Ryan Hunter, Mayor Kari Gabriel, Ward 1 Wes Walker, Ward 1 Sam Nunnally, Ward 2 Lisa Blank, Ward 2 Kyle Waterman, Ward 3 Sid Daoud, Ward 4 Jeb Fisher, Ward 4 Jarod Nygren, City Manager Commissioners: Dennis Bar 110 Sage Grouse Way Kalispell, MT 59901 April 15, 2026 Flathead County County Commission 800 S Main Street Room 302 Kalispell, MT 59901 Brad Abell, District 1 Pamela Holmquist, District 2 Randy Brodehl, District 3 Pete Melnick, County Administrator This letter is my request that you two commissions jointly request a traffic study by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to consider lowering the speed limit to 55 mph, from 65 mph, on highway US 93 north of the intersection with Reserve Street. Attached is a print of the guidelines that the MDT has for changing speed limit designations. It starts with a request and support by City and/or County governments. (see highlighted portion on page 4 of 5 attached.) I believe it appropriate that both governments address such a request since sections of north US 93 are interspersed between City and County jurisdiction. Since the new Costco store opened up, and the new signals at that intersection became operational, traffic has slowed, and northbound traffic never reaches 65 mph by the Rose crossing intersection, which also has traffic signals. The Tronstad intersection is scheduled for traffic signals due to the new subdivisions in process north of Tronstad, between US 93 and Whitefish Stage Road. That intersection will likely be realigned with Silverbrook Drive when the signals are installed. Just as traffic has slowed between Reserve and the Costco intersection, and it has slowed between that intersection and Rose Crossing, it is reasonable to expect the traffic to also slow from Rose Crossing to Tronstad/Silverbrook Drive when the new signals are installed. Because southbound traffic from the Church Drive (a junior intersection) to Tronstad/Silverbrook Dr will be subject to the control of future traffic signals at Tronstad, it is reasonable to expect southbound traffic will also slow down. Since north and south traffic is generally afforded the same speed limits, if the southbound traffic from Church to Tronstad/Silverbrook is reduced to 55 mph the northbound traffic up to Church should also be reduced to 55 mph. A major consideration in the analysis of a speed study is the "85th percentile speed" (see page 3 of 5 in attachment) of existing traffic. Due to the addition of new traffic signals and the expected traffic signals at Tronstad/Silverbrook the 85th percentile has undoubtedly been reduced. Yet, with the current legal maximum speed of 65 mph, there are numerous drivers that are driving well beyond the 85th percentile. And this is creating unsafe driving conditions. If the speed limit is reduced to 55 mph, and a driver was lucky enough to hit every green light, his total travel time from Reserve to Church would be increased 18 to 20 seconds (over 65 mph). This will not create a hardship nor even an inconvenience on any driver. Attached are three graphs (data provided by MT DOH) showing # of accidents, # of vehicles involved in those accidents and the number of personal injuries sustained on this section of roadway from years 2000 to 2025. With increasing traffic projected, these numbers will undoubtedly increase. Reducing the speed limit may well reduce future person injuries. I ask each Commission to pass a resolution of support for the MDT to initiate a "Traffic Investigation" to determine if a reduction of the speed limit on US 93 from Reserve to Church is warranted. Thank you all for your consideration. Respectfully submitted, Dennis Bar Cc: Rebecca Anderson, P.E., District Traffic Engineer Montana DOT, 85 5th Avenue E.N., P.O. Box 7308, Kalispell, MT 59901-7308 Speed Limits I Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) https:,',Iwww.mclt.mt.gov/visionzero/roadsi'Speed-Iiinits.aspx I * > Vision Zero > Safer Roads > Speed Limits Search MDT.. Speed Limits Speed limits are posted to protect the public by informing drivers of the authorized, allowable speed. Common speed limits are typically statutory as stated in Montana Code Annotated 61-8-303. Speed restrictions. Daytime speed limits are in effect from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Nighttime speed limits are in effect at any other time. The speed limits in Table 1 went into effect October 1, 2019. These speed limits apply unless otherwise posted. Type Of Highway Cars And Light Trucks Daytime I Nighttime over one ton manufacturer's rated capacity ** Billings, Great Falls and Missoula Heavy Trucks* Daytime 1 Nig a e Table 1. Speed Limits (in miles per hour) 1 of 5 4/15/2026., t2:41 PM d Limits I Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) littps:,'hvww.iiidt.mt.govlvisionzero/roads/speed-limits.aspx I Trucks Daytime Nighttime Daytime Nighttime Interstate 80 80 70 70 Interstate Within Urban 65 65 65 65 Area ** I Two-lane I 70 65 65 65 . .. . ........ over one ton manufacturer's rated capacity Billings, Great Falls and Missoula 3 Hn' Law 61-8-303. Speed restrictions. 61-8-309. Establishment of special speed zones. 61-8-310. When local authorities may and shall alter limits. 61-8-312. Special speed limitations on trucks, truck tractors, and motor -driven cycles, o dthe Sz Qo , " I .o " -,4 m --id Umft ,ona, MA-VY .0 1 Speed limits are posted only after a traffic and safety engineering study has been conducted and (where applicable) approved by the Transportation Commission. Engineering Considerations Before setting limits, a traffic investigator considers: • the length and width of roadway, • the roadway type and condition, • the location of access roads and intersections, • existing traffic control, • sight distance, 4/ 15/2026. 12:41 PM Speed Limits I Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) littps:/,'Www.mdt.mt.goN,/-,,isionzerollroadsf/speed-limits.aspx To ensure a consistent approach to speed limits statewide, the traffic investigator also considers nationally accepted principles. Decisions about rational speed limits are based in part on something called a speed study. During the speed study, data is collected at select locations along the roadway. This data is then analyzed to identify the 85th percentile —the speed at which 85 percent of the people drove at or below during ideal conditions. The 85th percentile speed is typically used as a starting point for setting a rational limit and is considered to be the maximum safe speed for that location. "IF orafific Investigation An important part of a traffic investigation is the speed study. Drivers take into consideration the conditions of the roadway environment when determining their comfortable driving speed. Thus, the speed which the majority of the drivers consider prudent is an important factor. Roadway data is collected using automated traffic counters at select locations during ideal driving conditions. A technical analysis is done to determine the 85th percentile. This 85th percentile represents the speed of which people drive during ideal conditions. Experience has shown that a posted speed limit near this value is the maximum safe and reasonable speed most drivers will travel. OIC-tv hi at Fin. g"i n g Ith e � S- p e e Concerns about posted speed limits are handled either by MDT or by your local city of county governments. MDT handles requests when the roadway is state- or federally funded. If you're not sure which agency has jurisdiction, you may contact MDT's Traffic and Safety Bureau or your local District Office. 3 of 5 4/15/2026, 12:41 PM Speed Limits I Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) https:,','www.mdt.nit.(,ov/visionzero/roads;speed-Iiinits.aspx Kequesting a 5peeci 5tuay All speed limit investigations are conducted in cooperation with local officials. The initial request for a speed study may come from a concerned citizen, however MDT requires individuals to work with their local government to demonstrate the Cif or County in question sup1 p_ orts conducting a speed study. Each request is placed on a list and processed in the order it was received unless a higher priority is assigned to it. How Long Does It Take? The speed study typically takes 9-12 months to complete. This allows time for data collection and a comment period before recommendations are presented to the Transportation Commission for action (MCA § 61-8-309). Frequently Asked Questions If we put up_a reduced speed limit sign won't that slow traffic down? Will raising the speed limit cause motorists to speed up? Do local officials have any input on what speed limit(s) are set? What areas are being studied? For more information, please contact Brenden Borges at 406-444-6255. MDT Locations Helena Headquarters 2701 Prospect Avenue PO Box 201001 Helena, MT 59620-1001 4 of 5 4/15/2026, 12:41 PM Speed Limits I Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) https://www.mdt.mt. govr visionzero/roads/speed-limits. aspx i errns of use Agency Links Current Job Openings TranPlanMT Aviation in Montana DBE & SBE Programs External ADA State Resources Yellowstone Airport Visit Montana MDT Employee Directory_ 5 of 4/15/2026, 12:41 PM -0 Number of accidents O CJ C', :J EQ 0 C4, D z 0 Fi number of involded in accidents O O O :P0 0 0 yr O Ci Uj z t:r 0 -0 CL a) w E3 3 0 CD 3 (D C- 0 SD CD 3 O _0 CD CL Number of personal lhjuriep from accidnts +(i)"deaths w M M EQ (D 0 0 0 z 0, 0 H Or NJ