05/06/02 Herzog/Wolford Development-Glacier MallMontana Department of Transportation David A. Galt. Director
Kalispell Area Office Judy Martz. Governor
85 Fifth Avenue East North
PO Box 7308
Kalispell, MT 59904-0308
May 6, 2002
Narda A. Wilson
Senior Planner
Tri-City Planning Office
17 Second Street East Suite 211
Kalispell, Montana 59901
Subject: Wolford Development -- Glacier. Mall
Narda,
RECEIVED
MAY - 6 2002
TRI-CITY PLANNING OFFICE
I am making preliminary comments on behalf of the Montana Department of
Transportation. These comments are based on a cursory review of the preliminary
limited information provided. This project will need to undergo the Department's
Systems Impact Process for a thorough review. This will require a comprehensive
Traffic Impact Study, which by reference is currently underway. Initial points of concern
would include the following:
• References made on pages 8 and 11 indicate that no additional burdens
will be placed on the public for new roads and that an expansion is
planned for S 548 (West Reserve Drive) to 4 lanes. Presently I am
unaware of any funding or programmed projects for these referenced
improvements. Such infrastructure changes and the funding of such
improvements will need to be addressed in the traffic study and in the
systems impact review process. This may include associated signal
upgrades, lane expansion and/or drainage needs. A fin-ther area of
concern that will need to be addressed in the impact process is what if any
impacts will this project have on air quality with regard to PM-10 and CO
standards.
• Two accesses are identified to have new signals on US 2 as a part of this
project. Both locations create potential problems based on the proximity
to other traffic conflicts. The southerly access location may be to close to
the existing signal at Reserve and US 93 while the northerly signal may
be located to close to the railroad crossing. The middle access may be the
only appropriate location for signalization. The other two accesses may
only warrant right in or right out access to US 2. The specific need and
location for each of the proposed accesses will be dealt with through the
system impact process.
Phone: (406) 751-2000 TTY.- (800) 335-7592
Fax: (406) 752-5767 M Equal Opportunity Employer Web Page: www.mdtstate.mtus
All City, State and County agencies transportation impacts should be
coordinated in a comprehensive process. It appears that a signal may be
warranted at one of the locations along East Reserve Drive and another
signal may also be needed at the intersection of Rose Crossing and
Glacier Way.
The Montanan Department of Transportation has had some initial but very preliminary
contact with Wolford and their representatives to date. We welcome the opportunity to
be a part of this development process. The Department's system impact process may
provide that opportunity to facilitate a comprehensive transportation plan for all of the
local agencies regarding the associated traffic impacts.
ell 'L.VHerzog, P.E.
Kalispell Area Maintenance Engineer
copies: Loran Frazier
Don Dusek
Shane Stack
Dan Martin
Sandra Straehl
Area File