F/3. Resolution 4665 - Support of West Side Bypass40 City of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7700 Fax(406)758-7758
REPORT TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for the Construction of the US-93 West Side By -Pass
MEETING DATE: October 15, 2001
BACK GROUND: For more than 50 years residents of Kalispell and the Flathead Valley have debated
the need for constructing a US-93 bypass around Kalispell. After decades of debate and study, including the
expenditure of several hundred thousand dollars to conduct a transportation study including the Kalispell
Bypass Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment, it was concluded that the west side route is where
the US-93 bypass must be located. This process was extremely thorough in its analysis and public
participation and must be accepted as the correct by-pass route if the community expects state and federal
transportation agencies to finance the construction. This report and its recommendation has been formally
accepted by local, state and federal transportation agencies.
It has also been proposed that local, state and federal agencies consider phasing this project. Phase
I would be the construction of the bypass from South US-93 north to US-2. Phase H would be the
construction of the remainder north of US-2 connecting to North US-93. Even though building the entire
bypass would be preferred, Phase I of this concept would greatly improve the safety of pedestrians and
drivers within Kalispell's downtown area.
The desirability to this phased approach is matched by its feasibility. The Kalispell bypass study
actually considered an alternative route, B-Modified, that pushed traffic west to US-2 then east down US-2
to the Meridian Rd. intersection. Traffic then would travel north on Meridian to intersect with US-93 north.
This is shown on the attached figure 6 from the original bypass study. The feasibility of the phased option
is further enhanced by the certainty that Meridian Rd. will soon be improved to increase its capacity. This
is not being recommended as a permanent solution. The original alignment is the preferred route, however,
a phased approach to this large project seems logical and is feasible.
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Therefore, in line with the Council's goal to promote the safe and efficient passage of motor vehicle
traffic within the City of Kalispell, as well as to maintain a viable and vibrant business and commercial district
along Main Street in Downtown Kalispell, we must gently and firmly push state and federal agencies towards
the bypass. Constructing this arterial transportation route will greatly improve pedestrian safety in the
downtown and will provide Kalispell the opportunity to create the core area with a destination location which
business owners, resident and visitors can enjoy.
RECOMMENDATION: The City Council pass Resolution 4665 strongly encouraging local, state and
federal agencies to work together to build the west side US-93 bypass.
FISCAL EFFECTS: None at this time.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Chris A. Kukulski
City Manager
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Report compiled October 11, 2001
Remaining Alternatives
3Kali spell
YPASS FEASIBILITYSTUD
Figure 6.
Refined Bypass Alignment
RESOLUTION NO. 4665
A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE SUPPORT OF THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL
FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGHWAY 93 TRANSPORTATION BYPASS AROUND THE
CITY OF KALISPELL AS OUTLINED IN THE OCTOBER 1993 KALISPELL BYPASS
FEASIBILITY STUDY.
WHEREAS, residential development continues to grow in the outlying
areas of Kalispell with an increasing distance between
locations of residences and the locations of jobs and
commerce, resulting in increasing travel time and
distance; and
WHEREAS, overall traffic volumes in Kalispell have grown
considerably over the last 20 years; and
WHEREAS, Idaho Street and Main Street traffic volumes exceed
21,000 vehicles per day, resulting in congested traffic
conditions throughout the day; and
WHEREAS, traffic increases are projected to continue on U.S.
Highway 93. Increasing traffic congestion on Main Street
through the downtown area will continue to impede
business activity, essential business travel and personal
travel both by automobile and for pedestrians and
bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Council to promote the safe and
efficient passage of motor vehicle traffic through the
City of Kalispell as well as to maintain a viable and
vibrant business and commercial district along Main
Street in downtown Kalispell, the soundness of which is
disadvantaged by the bisection of the district by four
lanes of congested traffic; and
WHEREAS, in October 1993 the City of Kalispell conducted a Bypass
Feasibility Study in which it recommended utilizing the
railroad corridor from US 93 south to US 2, north of US
2 crossing through the Two Mile and Three Mile Drives
area to Stillwater Road, then north along Stillwater Road
to either Reserve Drive or a potential new alignment
along the power transmission lines to US 93; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kalispell considers it
advisable that they make a formal declaration of support
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for the construction of a transportation bypass as
recommended in its 1993 Feasibility Study; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kalispell would like
state and federal transportation agencies to seriously
consider constructing the bypass in two phases. Phase I
would be the construction of the bypass from South US 93
north to US 2, and Phase II would construct north from US
2 and connect to US 93 using Reserve Drive.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. That the City Council of the City of Kalispell
hereby declares its support for the
development and construction of the Highway 93
Bypass around downtown Kalispell as
recommended by the October 1993 Feasibility
Study and emphatically calls for the
commencement and progression of this project.
SECTION II. The City Manager is authorized and directed to
communicate this resolution to the Montana
Department of Transportation, the County of
Flathead and to the various representatives in
the Montana State Legislature.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS DAY OF OCTOBER, 2001.
Wm. E. Boharski
Mayor
Attest:
Theresa White
City Clerk
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