2. Highway 93 Bypass - Technical Advisory Committee's RecommendationsCity of Kalispell
Planning Department
1.7 - 2nd Street East, Suite 211, Kalispell, Montana 59901
Telephone: (406) 751 -185o
Fax: (6) 751-1858
website: www.katispell.com
REPORT TO: Kalispell Mayor and City Council
FROBE Tom Jentz, Director
Jaynes H. Patrick, City Manager
RE: Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass Phasing Recommendation
MEETING DATE: Council Work Session -November S, 2007
BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met on Wednesday
October 17, 2007 for the purpose of making a recommendation on the initial phasffig
of the Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass. To assist the TAC and MDT, Stelling Engineers
divided the entire bypass project, estimated to cost approximately $90 million into 9
major constructible components. These constructible phases are included in an
attachment to this memo entitled By -Pass Phasing Diagram. In addition Ste broke
out two bridges which have to be constructed across Ashley Creek prior to any road
construction. One bridge would be south by Gardner's Trailer Center and the other
would be between Foys Lake Road and US 2.
MDT informed the TAc that there was approximately $8.9 million in construction
funds and $11.9 in R/W acquisition funds available for the highway by-pass project.
The $11.9 million is the estimated value of remaining R/ W to be purchased for the
entire by-pass. MDT also indicated that TAC could recommend construction projects
slightly in excess of $8.9 to create a buildable package borrowing some from the R/ W
funds as not all of these funds will be immediately expended. These funds will
however have to be reimbursed from future allocations. Discussion ensued and several
potential scenarios were proposed. It was affirmed that the TAC has taken the
position that the south half was the priority for the start of project construction. After
considerable discussion., TAC ultimately voted 6-1 to support the following initial
construction projects:
a. Undertake the phase one recommendation entitled preload and drainage. This
would involve excavating and pre -loading two significant soft areas (areas of
poor soils) . The sites are just north and gust south of Foys Lake Road.
(Estimated cost is $4.3 million.)
b. Construct the two bridges across Ashley Creek (one south near Gardner's
Trailer Sales and the second between Foys Lake Road and US 2. (Estimated
cost is $2.6 million.)
Kalispell Bypass Phasing Work Session
October 31, 2007
Page 2
c. Construct the Reserve Drive South project (Hutton Ranch Road east and north
to US 93 behind Target and Home Depot). (Estimated at $3 million.)
The recommendation totals $9.9 million dollars. The TAC is recommending these
projects for 4 reasons:
1. There was not enough money to do a single phase of by-pass on the south side.
2. The bridge work and soil stabilization work has to be done first before any
bypass can be constructed.
3. Bridges and pre -loading activity typically tapes two years from contract award
to completion and would unduly hold up any other construction on the south
side if these projects were not first constructed.
4. The Hutton Ranch to US 93 connection was recommended because it was a
small project that would utilize the remaining funds, there was a strong desire
on the part of TAC to actually construct a segment of usable bypass for the
public to benefit from, the Reserve Connector has been completed this summer
and the Hutton ranch extension completes this loop, and finally and most
telling, traffic congestion on the north end of the bypass is mounting. The
Reserve and US 93 intersection is operating at a D level for AM traffic and DW-F
level for PM traffic movements.
Please note that these are the beginning construction phases of the 93 Bypass, not the
end. We are anticipating working closely with our congressional delegation to secure
annual appropriations and to place an additional request in the Federal
Transportation Bill when it is re -authorized. It is the hope and belief of TAC that
construction on the bypass will continue uninterrupted and not end until the entire
bypass is completed.
RECDNMEENDATIDN: This recommendation is being forwarded to both the Flathead
County Commissioners and to the Kalispell City Council for final action and adoption.
The Commissioners are scheduled to address this issue in early November. Staff is
recommending that the council take formal action on this item at the November 19
council meeting and forward an official recommendation to MDDT.
Respectfully submitted,
qr q�_'
ro
Thomas R. Jentz awes : . Pa
Director City Manager
Report compiled October 31, 2007
Attachments: Draft Minutes of October 17, 2007 TAC meeting
Kalispell Bypass -- Summary of Costs dated October 10, 2007
Bypass Phasing Diagram
c: Theresa White, Kalispell City Clerk
City of Kalispell
Planning Department
17 - .2"d Street Fast, Suite 211, Kalispell, Montana 59901
Telephone. (406) 751-1850
Fax: (406) 751 -18 5 8
W ebsite. www.kalispell.com
MEMORANDUM
To: Flathead County Commissioners
Kalispell City Council
From: Tom Jentz, Chairman, Kalispell TAC
Date: October 18, 2007
Subject: Kalispell Highway 93 Bypass Phasing Recommendation
The Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee (TACK met on Wednesday October 17, 2007 for
the purpose of making a recommendation on the initial phasing of the Kalispell Highway 93
Bypass. To assist the TAC and MDT, Stelling Engineers divided the entire bypass project,
estimated to cost approximately $90 million into 9 major constructible components. In addition
Stelling broke out two bridges which have to be constructed across Ashley Creek prior to any
road construction. One bridge would be south by Gardner's Trailer center and the other would
be between Foy's Lake Road and US 2.
MIST informed the TAC that there was approximaly$ 8.9 million in construction funds and $1 I.9
in R/W acquisition funds available for the Highway by-pass project. The $11.9 million is the
estimated value of remaining R/W to be purchased for the entire by-pass. MDT also indicated
that TAC could recommend construction projects slightly in excess of $8.9 to create a buildable
package borrowing some from the R/W funds as not all of these funds will be immediately
expended. These funds will however have to be reimbursed from future allocations.
Much discussion ensued and several potential scenarios were proposed. It was affirmed that the
TAC has taken the position that the south half was the priority for project construction. The
TAC ultimately voted 6-1 to support the following initial construction projects:
a. Undertake the phase one recommendation entitled preload and drainage. This would
involve excavating and pre -loading two significant soft areas (areas of poor soils). The
sites are just north and just south of Foys Lake Road. (estimated cost is $4.3 million)
b. Construct the two bridges across Ashley Creek (one south near Gardner's Trailer Sales
and the second between Foys Lake Road and US 2. (estimated cost is $2.6 million)
c. Construct the Reserve Drive South project (Hutton Ranch Road east and north to US 93
behind Target and Home Depot). (estimated at $3 million.)
Kalispell Bypass Phasing
October l 7, 2007
Page 21
The recommendation totals $9.9 million dollars. The TAC is recommending these projects for 4
reasons:
1. There was not enough money to do any single stretch of bypass on the south side.
2. The bridge work and soil stabilization work has to be done first before any bypass can be
constructed.
3. Bridges and pre -loading activity typically takes two years from now until completion and
would unduly hold up any other construction on the south side.
4. The Hutton Ranch to US 93 connection was recommended because it was a small project
that would utilize the remaining funds, there was a strong desire on the part of TAC to
actually construct a segment of usable bypass for the public to benefit from, the Reserve
Connector has been completed this summer and the Hutton Ranch extension completes
this loop, and finally and most telling, traffic congestion on the north end of the bypass is
mounting. The Reserve and US 93 intersection is operating at a D level for AM traffic
and D -F level for PM traffic movements.
This recommendation is being forwarded to both the Flathead County Commissioners and to the
Kalispell City Council for final action and adoption. Please contact myself or a member of the
TAC if you have any specific questions.
Please schedule action on this recommendation at your earliest convenience. I will be available
at your meeting should you have additional questions.
Sincerely,
Tom Jentz
Chairman, Kalispell TAC
Attachments: Draft Minutes of October 17, 2007 TAC meeting
Kalispell Bypass --- Summary of Costs dated October l 0, 2007
B yp ass P has ing Diagram
KALISPELL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 10, 2007
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL
The regular meeting of the Kalispell Technical Advisory
CALL
Committee was called to order at 1:30 p.m. Board members
present were: Tom Jentz, Gary Hall, Steve Herzog, Jim
Hansz, Dwaine Kailey, Shiela Ludlow, and Marc Rold. John
Schwarz, Guy Foy, Gary Kalberg, Jim Patrick, Jim Dedman,
Mark Munsinger, and Mark Twitchel were absent. There were
approximately S people in the audience.
APPROVAL OF THE
Rold moved and Kailey seconded a motion to approve the
NOWTES.
minutes of the September 13, 2007.
The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation.
COMMENTS FROM THE
No one wish to cormnent.
PUBLIC
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Kailey recapped the funding noting; the bypass has received 3
DEVELOP A
appropriations and a reauthorization earmark for the bypass.
RECOMMENDED PHASING
out of that money what is remaining is approximately $11.9
PLAN TO GIVE MDT
million for R/ w purchases and an additional $2.9 million
DIRECTION IN THE
available for construction. over and above that there is a $b
CONSTRUCTION OF THE
million earmark in appropriations right now and they are
SOUTH HALF OF THE
anticipating that appropriation will be approved and be
HIGHWAY" 93 BYPASS -
ay. alable for the bypass construction in the near future.
(STELLING ENGINEERING)
Therefore, there is $8.9 million available for construction.
Mitch Steg, Stelling Engineers reviewed the Kalispell
Bypass Summary of Costs and the recommended phasing
diagram for the Committee. (Copies attached to the minutes) .
Stelling noted that the cost for the preloading & drainage
(Phase 1) and the bridges are separated out because some
may think that any section of road that they would build
would not do anything (a road to nowhere) and some might
agree that the infrastructure should be built first to allow for
roadway construction when the funds are available. He
added this may be something that the Committee would
want to consider.
Hall asked the location of the Reserve Loop bridge and
Stelling said it is located where the Highway 93 Bypass goes
over the top of the Reserve Connector immediately east of
Glacier High School.
Kailey asked what the cost of the bridge at the Airport Road
interchange is and Stelling said approximately $3 million
because it is a long span of bridge.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007
Page I of 7
Stelling noted that these phasing recommendations are
based on the decision to build the south portion of the
bypass first.
Hall asked if there was going to be any discussion on the
decision to build the south portion first. Jentz noted that
discussion cann be a part of the Committee's discussions after
Stelling's presentation.
Stelling described the phases in more detail for the
Committee. What is important for them, Stelling continued,
is from a design standpoint they need to know how they
should progress through the phasing because it affects the
way they design the bypass.
Jentz asked Kailey what are the limitations on the $6 million
earmarked funds. Kailey said there are none. In addition,
Jentz asked for clarification on the acquired R/w funds and
if there are any restrictions that would prevent them from
borrowing from the R/ W funds to complete a construction
project. Kailey said the earmarks were very broad so they
have the authority to obligate them wherever they wanted to.
Hall noted that was one of his questions also because it
seemed all the money would be going toward R/ W
acquisition. Kailey said they have to certify to the Federal
Highway Administration that they own the R/ W for the
segments before they go to construction, but they do not
have to acquire the R/W along the entire corridor before
construction.
Rold asked where the R/ W acquisition process is now.
Kailey said approximately 40% through passive acquisition
and right now they have the plans for authorization of the
R/ W for the entire south half of the bypass.
Rold suggested if all of the estimates are stand alone
estimates the Committee could combine some of them for
significant savings and Stelling said there may or may not be
significant savings. Jentz noted that there could be some
phases that if combined it could eliminate the destruction
portion of that phase and Stelling agreed.
Kailey noted from experience that stand alone bridges can
cause some problems and Stelling added some of the bridges
on this project would not be highly visible.
Hall asked if the Committee approved Phase 6 ghat would
the differences be at that intersection. Harris described how
the current intersection functions and hour it will function
after Phase 6 is built. She added the biggest difference you
will see is not being able to o from the existing Reserve
Kalispell City Planning Bard
Nkl inutes of the meeting of October 10, 2.007
Page 2 of 7
Drive to Highway 93.
Herzog asked if the engineer's recommendation would be to
complete Phase 5 before Phase 6 because there would be
considerable congestion without the lane Cunning left to go
south on Highway 93? Harris said she could see either one
going first because Phase 6 would help traffic flog better
between Highway 93 east to the Stillwater bridge.
Jentz said his assumption would be Phase 5 would provide
an alternative when Phase 6 construction is being completed.
Harris agreed if Hutton Ranch Drive was available it could be
a great benefit.
Kailey said he understands the way Harris described that
intersection to be the frnal configuration but as they go
through the design if they don't have the remainder of the
bypass in the mill it may be beneficial to assign those lanes a
little bit differently until the remainder of that bypass is built
and Harris agreed. Harris again described the
Reserve / Highway 93 intersection as designed and how it will
function after completion.
Herzog noted the $11.9 rniWon for R/ W acquisition is in
today's dollars and asked what the timeframe of acquisition
would be for that amount. Kailey said it is based on current
acquisition costs and he felt that acquisition should be
completed within 2 years. Herzog said then the $11.9 million
should cover acquisition of R / W and Kailey said it should be
close.
Rold asked if there are any landowners who have indicated
any unwillingness to sell R/ W. Bailey said yes some property
owners do not agree on the fair market value being offered by
MDT.
Hall asked if all of the School Trust Land R / w has been
purchased and Kailey said an agreement is in place and the
money is set aside. Hall asked if the sale was at fair market
value and Kailey said it is a state law that DNRC has to
capture fair market value for sale or lease of their property.
Hall asked if Phase 6 was recommended to be constructed,
and he noted the proposal is to connect it to a bridge, can
that road be tied into the Reserve Loop without the bridge.-
Stelling said yes that is the moray it is proposed and he added
the bridge would be a part of Phase S.
Hansz asked if the cost of the DNRC acquisition is outside
the $11.9 million. Kailey said the $7.4 million for the
acquisition of the DNRC R/w is outside the $11.9 million.
Jentz said he is going to recommend that the $8.9 million is
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of October 10, ?007
Page 3 of 7
not the end of the funds. we need to look at the fact that we
are building a bypass and there isn't a logical way of
finishing off the bypass with the money we have. Jentz asked
if there was any disagreement with that approach and no one
responded.
Kailey said it should be reaffirmed that no 2 lane segments
will be considered. Hall suggested perhaps the Committee
should consider a 2 lane bypass since it could be completed
sooner. Jentz noted that the Committee looked at 2 lane
alternatives and TAC, decided that the 4 lane would move
forward based on cost and having to reconstruct portions at
a later date. Jentz added the modeling indicates that there
will be 20,000 vehicles on this road in less than 20 years
which a 2 lane could not handle,
Jentz said at the work session TAC talked quite a bit about
actually building some projects, and there is money to do it
and it should be spent. Also, there are certain projects that
require more than a single year of construction such as the
bridge work or the preloading that has to be done, and then
the projects that would actually connect to somewhere. Jentz
said the Director of MDT was very clear that he didn't want
to have a `bridge to nowhere" but he also said he granted to
have meaningful links hook up.
The following recommendations for phasing were discussed:
1. Rold -- Phase 6 (Reseive/ Highway 93) at $8.9 million. Fold
said it makes the most sense because Deserve is not
currently functioning with the Reserve Loop portion of the
bypass and it is carrying a lot more traffic. In addition it
would improve the Highway 93 8b Reserve intersection that
the whole community is concerned about.
2. Hall -Phases 5 & 6 (Reserve/Highway 93 8a Hutton Ranch
Road/ Reserve) $11.9 million. Hall said Phase 5 (Hutton
Ranch Road) needs to be completed first or in conjunction
with Phase 6 (Reserve/Highway 93). Hall asked Harris what
percentage of traffic would use the Hutton Ranch/Reserve
connection and she said 30%.
Jentz reminded TAC that the recommendations will go to
Kalispell City Council and the Flathead County
commissioners for their approval to move forward. There was
discussion about not going on the north side because of the
policy direction from the council and commissioners.
3. Hansz -Phases 1 8v 3 (Preloading/ Drainage & Foys Lake
Road to Highway 2) $10.3 million. Hansz said it would be a
way to maximize the funds they have and borrowing from the
R/ W acquisition funds. He continued then you would end up
with some essential work, the preloading and drainage, and
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 16(X)7
Page 4 of 7
actually build a segment between Foys Lake Road and
Highway 2 West which would significantly reduce traffic in
that area. In addition these phases would be in keeping with
the direction from the city council and the commissioners.
Herzog asked how long would the preloading need to be in
place before construction could be done on Phase 3 and
Stelling said a year at least.
4. Jentz - Phase 1, (Preloading & Drainage) Ashley North and
South & Foys Lake Road bridges, and Phase 5 (Hutton
Ranch Road/ Reserve) $11.4 million. Jentz noted the
preloading, drainage, and bridge work would have to be done
on the south end, and would then serve as the hook to keep
this project going. He said Phase 5 would relieve some of the
intersection malfunction at Reserve and Highway 93.
Stelling noted that the bridges, especially the one at Foys
Lake Road for $1.5 million would just stand out there until
the bypass was built. The benefit of constructing the Foys
Lake Road bridge before the bypass is built at grade in that
location is there will not be any construction that will have to
be torn out in order to build the bridge later.
5. Herzog - Phases 1 & 5 (Preloading & Drainage S& Hutton
Ranch Road/ Reserve) $7.3 million. Herzog said from a
practical standpoint the Phase 1 preloading and drainage
makes sense because any other work in that area would be
relatively easy. Also if Phase 5 is constructed it would set the
stage for Phase 6, should the direction of construction
change. Herzog added them they can see how the remainder
of the R/ W acquisition goes and reevaluate the funds for the
next phase.
Dailey said they have committed to doing the preloading next
year if that is the Committee's desire. However, this is the
first time they have talked about prioritizing Hutton Ranch
Road and if that would be a decision of this Committee he
asked the engineer when they could have the design
completed for Phase S. Stelling said it wouldn't be a problem
on their end and it would probably come down to the R/ W
issues.
Herzog asked if the political reality should be addressed and
asked do they have any choice but to look anywhere other
than the south portion of the bypass. Jentz said his
recommendation was to actually get some highway
construction done and provide some traffic relief and that is
why he included the Hutton Ranch Road section. Yet they
would still be setting the stage for the southern portion by
completing the preloading and drainage and construction of
3 of the 4 bridges needed on the southern portion.
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007
Page 5 of 7
Hall said politically often times they hear from the public
after the decision has been made and people are and should
be asking what are the politicians thinking. He said that he
is still not totally clear why Kalispell is so emphatic about the
southern portion but the commissioners gent along with
that decision and here we are. But since that decision was
made Hall said, although he can't speak for the other
commissioners, he has had a change of heart. There is a new
highway on 93 South and he has heard people say they
would be building a road to nowhere. Hall asked, ghat is the
point?
Jentz said his discussions with the downtown community is
when the bypass is in they have relief and the reality is until
the bypass is completed from Gardner's to Reserve the
downtown will not get relief.
Kailey agrees with Phases 1 & 5. He said it is a compromise
between where the community is actually experiencing
congestion v. what they told the public they were going to do.
Hall supports Phases 1 & 5 and maybe Phase 6 too. He said
the new Reserve Loop, although it is great, has created some
dysfunctio 1. Hall added that is where the growth is and that
is where they need to be looking to protect the citizens.
Hansz said he represents the city and he won't assume that
the council will change their decision. However, as an
engineer he feels it is prudent to look at the realities of cost
v. project. Hansz suggested providing 2 options to hopefully
assert the governing body in making the decision and
recommendation based on which of the 2 packages makes
the most sense. Hansz suggested the following options be
recommended:
Phase 1 (Preloading/ Drainage) plus the 2 Ashley Creek
bridges and Foys Lake Road bridge - $8.4 million;
Phase 1 (Preloading/ Drainage) and 5 (Hutton Ranch
Road/Reserve) - $7.3 million.
Hall thought only 1 option should be forwarded and Hansz
noted if only 1 option was forwarded he would support Phase
1 and the Ashley Creek North and South and Foys Lake
Road bridges - $8.4 million.
There was further discussion regarding the options and
whether 1 or 2 recommendations should be forwarded.
MOTION I Hall moved and Herzog seconded a motion to forward the
following phasing option for the bypass construction to the
Kalispell City Punning Board
Minutes of the meeting of 0c:tober 10, 2007
Page 6of7
county commissioners and city council for their
consideration and approval:
Phase 1 (Preloading & Drainage) , Ashley Creek North and
South Bridges, and Phase 5 (Hutton Ranch Road/ Reserve) --
$9.9 million.
ROLL CALL
The motion passed on a roll call vote of 6 in favor and one
opposed.
UPDATE ON
No update was presented.
TRANSPORTATION"
CONSTRUCTION
ACTIVITIES IN KALISPELL
AREA
CONFIM NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4,
DATE
2007.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3. 2 5 p.m.
Tom Jentz Michelle Anderson
Chairman Recording Secretary
APPROVED as submitted/corrected: /-/07
Kalispell City Planning Board
Minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2007
Page 7 of 7
KALISPELL BYPASS - SUMMARY OF COSTS
October 10, 2007
.... . ... ....
Preload & Drainage
. . ... . . . .....
$0.3
$4,0
$4.3
.. . .. ....... ....... .... . . ..... . .....
93 South to Airport ... . . ... .. ...
$0.2
.. . .......
$8.8
. .... . ... ......
.. ...
$9.0
Airport ($7.0)
.......
Foys to US2 ....
.............
.... . . $0.0
$6.0
$6.0
US HWY 2 ($9.7)
Airport to Foys
Foys Lake ($5. 1 )
Subtotal South Projects
$0.9
$28.7
$29.6
$21.8
Reserve' Dri,v-e,So'ut-6 /40772W
....... . . .... $0.4
$2.6
$3.0
Reserve Loop to Reserve Drive South
. . . . . ...... .... ...... . ...
$0.6
. ...... . ..
$8.3
$8.9
US 2 to 3 Mile
$0.2
. . . ....... .....
$9.4
$9.6
Two Mile ($2.6)
4 Mile to Reserve Loop
. . ......... . .. ..... . . ....
$0.0
$7.7
$7.7
. . ...... . .
. . ....
3 Mile to 4 Mile . . . .. ......
. ..... .... ...
. ...... . . . ...... . . . .....
.... . .. ... .
Subtotal North Projects
$1.5
$34.0
$35.5
$2.6
$2.4
.. .... .....
$62.7
$65.=1
Includes 8% Mobilization, 5% Contingency, 3 Years Inflation,
10% Const. Engineering and 12.25% IDC
Does loot Include Riht-of-Way
Costs
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