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City Manager to MDOT - Traffic Signal at Kelly Rd & Hwy 93City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax (406)758-7758 January 3, 2005 James Skinner Montana Department of Transportation PO Box 201001 Helena MT 59620-1001 RE: Traffic Signal at Kelly Rd. and US Hwy 93 Intersection, Kalispell Montana Dear Mr. Skinner, Murcon Development, Inc. and their engineer, Schwarz Architecture and Engineering, recently updated the City on their current effort to create anew commercial subdivision near the City airport. This subdivision will utilize the intersection of Kelly Road and US Hwy 93 as its primary ingress/egress point. As you know, the Kelly Road/US 93 intersection was recently improved during the reconstruction of US 93. This reconstruction project was undertaken with many goals in mind; among these were improved traffic safety and mobility along this busy corridor into the City. One of the City's parallel goals was to create a new roadway environment that would encourage a change in the character and quality of development on US 93. The Murcon Development project is very desirable for achieving this goal and we support it wholeheartedly, while at the same time recognizing it may have a significant impact on traffic at the intersection. It is my understanding that the developer has submitted a traffic impact study of this project for MDT review. From my staff s conversation with you, I understand that this information may not be complete or current to include details of the Murcon project.. We understand that the information provided thus far relates only to the original proposal to construct a new west -side frontage road intersecting at Kelly which would serve properties south of the intersection. We realize that information about the Murcon commercial subdivision and its traffic impact is of critical importance and will ask Murcon to provide this data and discuss its implications with you as soon as possible. It is also my understanding that the developer has moved ahead with plans for a signal in anticipation of a favorable review by MDT. They have hired Perteet Engineering to perform the signal design and they arranged to have Pavlik Electric install control loops during the highway reconstruction. The developer has stated several companies are interested in purchasing and building within this new commercial subdivision. Their interest is contingent upon the Department of Transportation's approval of a traffic signal. Although we have not reviewed the traffic impact data, we are confident that continued growth at this intersection will adequately justify the need for a new signal at this location. I want you to know that the City of Kalispell fully supports the installation of a signal at the intersection of Kelly Road and US 93 that is in full compliance with MDT's requirements. As I indicated,, we will contact the developer to encourage their speedy delivery of any additional data that is needed for your analysis. Please let me know what more we can do to facilitate your review and to hopefully obtain a favorable decision for a new signal. We would very much like to see this worthwhile development project move forward as soon as possible. I can be contacted at (406) 758-7703 or by e-mail at Watrick La)kalis-pell.com. Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, ames H. City Manager cc: Murcon Development Inc. James C. Hansz, Public Works Director/City Engineer