6. Highway 93 and Grandview/MDOT CorrespondenceAgenda -November 12, 1996
AGENDA ITEM 6 - HIGHWAY 93 AND GRANDVIEW AREA -SPEED AND TRAFFIC
SIGNAL
BACKGROUND/CONSIDERATION: This item is placed on the agenda at the
request of Council member Nystul for discussion. With the traffic
and the improvements to Highway 93, vehicle speeds and "near
misses" are increasing. Since we will have MDOT officials in
Kalispell on November 21, a discussion of the Council seems timely.
As I indicated in my memo to you, I intend to send a letter of
request for a review of the current speed limits for the highway
from Meridian to Grandview/Four Mile Drive intersection.
RECOMMENDATION: Council member Nystul feels a discussion will be
helpful. The letter may carry more weight if all of the Council
members/Mayor were to sign it. If you as Council members want to
show a strong position on this subject, I would recommend a
resolution be approved by the Council that states our concerns and
requested action. I would then submit the resolution with a cover
letter to MDOT for their consideration of action.
ACTION REQUIRED: Discussion of your position and direction to the
staff is needed at the workshop. If you prefer a resolution
process as recommended, please indicate this at the workshop. We
will then write the appropriate' resolution. At the workshop,
please indicate the points of concern you have so we may include
them within a proposed resolution.
the (l[ of KJlllv I
Incorporated 1892
riephone (406) 758-7700
FAX (406) 758-7758
Post Office Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana
Zip 59903-1997
November 18, 1996
Mr. Jim Weaver
District Engineer
MT Dept. of Transportation
Post Office Box 7039
Missoula, MT 59807
Dear Mr. Weaver:
The Mayor and City Council of Kalispell request the Montana
Department of Transportation initiate and complete a new traffic
safety study for Highway 93 from Meridian Road to the north exit
of FVCC north of the Grandview/Four Mile Drive intersection.
_s request is precipitated by personal experience,
ux5servation, and the receipt of many complaints to the City
Council, Mayor, and Staff. With the ever increasing traffic on
Highway 93 and the increased turning movements at Meridian,
Indian Trail, Summit Ridge, and especially at the Four Mile
Drive/Grandview signalized intersection there are several near
misses per day. It is our opinion that the speed limits
throughout this corridor need to be reviewed and adjusted to
lower limits to enhance the safety of those making turning
movements or cross movements with the intersections and/or
turning lanes.
The combined speed and downhill travel to the Grandview/Four
Mile Drive signalized intersection has made the access to
Highway 93 very difficult. The signals apparently do not
provide sufficient time for the northbound traffic to stop for
the signals with the type of speed that is allowed. This is
especially true for the large trucks or for all vehicles under
wet/slick conditions.
To help ensure the State of Montana, the City of Kalispell, and
the traveling public a safe transportation corridor, we
respectfully request a traffic study be completed as soon as
possible. We, and the staff of Kalispell, offer our assistance
to you in any way that we can to expedite the correction of this
tentiallv dangerous corridor.
Douglas Rauthe
Mayor
Clarence W. Krepps
City Manager
City Council
Members:
Gary W. Nystul
Ward I
Cliff Collins
Ward I
Norbert F. Donahue
Ward II
Dale Haarr
Ward II
Jim Atkinson
Ward III
Lauren Granmo
Ward III
Pamela B. Kennedy
Ward IV
M. Duane Larson
Ward IV
Mr. Jim Weaver, MDOT
November 18, 1996
Page Two
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give
me a call:.
Sincerely,
Councilman Cliff Collins
Councilman Dale Haarr
Councilman Jim Atkinson
Councilwoman Pamela B. Kennedy
CWK/ksk ,
Councilman Gary W. Nystul
Councilman Norbert F. Donahue
Councilman Lauren Granmo
Councilman Duane Larson
Mayor Douglas D. Rauthe