I5. Res 5876 - BUILD Grant SupportCity of Kalispell
201 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
r fONTANYA JU (406) 758-7000 Fax (406)7757
REPORT TO: Mayor Johnson and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Doug Russell, City Manager -P/q
SUBJECT: Resolution of Support for the MDOT submission of the BUILD
Transportation grant application for the Completion of the Highway 93
Bypass
MEETING DATE: June 4, 2018
BACKGROUND: The Montana Department of Transportation is currently considering
projects to submit to the Federal BUILD Transportation grant program (replacement of the
TIGER grant program). One of the projects considered is a component of the southern portion of
the Highway 93 Bypass. The Department of Transportation is anticipated to review various
projects from across the state and select the most appropriate projects to submit for this grant
program.
The Highway 93 Bypass presents a good project for this program as it:
- Was approved as part of the 1994 Environmental Impact Study
- Provides safety and quality of life improvements for the transportation corridor in that
it alleviates through traffic from local streets and furthers the intent to establish
downtown initiatives focused on localized traffic
- Stimulates economic activity, as evident by the economic impact report of the bypass
project
- Improves the current traffic congestion points along the southern end of the bypass
- Provides additional opportunity for partnerships with the State and City of Kalispell
- Serves a rural area that will see the benefits of the above mentioned items
- Can be completed within the time frame of the grant program requirements
The Build application date is July 19, 2018. We anticipate the State reviewing projects in mid -
June to identify the projects they will submit to the BUILD program for grant funding. While we
are unsure of the extent of needs that may be required in preparing grant applications, this is an
area where we could partner with the State on this project, subject to their needs.
FISCAL IMPACTS: It is anticipated that this grant application will be for a $10-12 million
dollar project. The cost to the City of Kalispell would be in administrative or in -kind assistance,
such as aiding in the preparation of the grant application, if needed.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution 5876,
recommending the State of Montana submit the Highway 93 Bypass completion project for grant
funding to the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD Transportation Program.
ATTACHMENTS: Resolution 5876
RESOLUTION NO. 5876
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION BY THE MONTANA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR A UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION "BETTER UTILIZING INVESTMENTS TO LEVERAGE
DEVELOPMENT" (BUILD) GRANT TO FUND THE COMPLETION OF THE
SOUTHERN HALF OF THE U.S. 93 ALTERNATE ROUTE.
WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 93 is an historic north/south highway route that passes through
rural Flathead County carrying vehicular traffic through the center of the City of
Kalispell, the county seat and trade center of Northwest Montana; and
WHEREAS, over time, traffic counts, the population and density of the City of Kalispell and
its environs has grown dramatically with the increase in the National Park tourist
traffic and trade traffic which has resulted in significant undue congestion and
traffic impediments in and around the City; and
WHEREAS, a four lane alternate bypass route for U.S. Highway 93 around the west side of the
City of Kalispell was considered and approved in a 1994 Final Environmental
Impact Study as part of the regional improvements to the highway; and
WHEREAS, in 2010 two lanes of the southern half of the alternate route, from Highway 93
South to Foys Lake Road, were completed with Federal Stimulus funding; and
WHEREAS, thereafter, recognizing that the alternate route was ineffective until it was
completed, the Montana Department of Transportation [MDOT] acquired all of
the necessary right-of-way to construct a 4-lane bypass route within the planned
area of the 1994 EIS and constructed four lanes from Foys Lake Road to U.S.
Highway 93 North at the intersection of Reserve Street; and
WHEREAS, the U.S Department of Transportation has set aside $1.5 billion in discretionary
grants through the new Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development
(BUILD) transportation grant program to be awarded on a competitive basis for
projects that will have a "significant local or regional impact"; and
WHEREAS, the MDOT is making application for funds through the BUILD grant program to
complete the southern half of the U.S. Highway 93 Alternate Route; and
WHEREAS, the project proposed by MDOT would remove the roundabouts and complete the
four lanes on the southern half of the route to be served by full interchanges, with
overpasses and four access ramps, from Foys Lake Road to the intersection with
U.S. Highway 93 south of Kalispell; and
WHEREAS, the proposed project will have significant local and regional impact as it will
improve the current traffic congestion points along the southern end of the bypass,
provide additional safety and quality of life improvements for the transportation
corridor by alleviating through traffic from local streets and further the intent to
establish downtown initiatives focused on localized traffic; and
WHEREAS, support for the MDOT application for the BUILD grant provides additional
opportunity for partnerships with the State, Flathead County and the City of
Kalispell; and
WHEREAS, as the project meets all criteria of the BUILD grant program, application for such
funding should have the support of the City of Kalispell.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION L The City of Kalispell fully supports the application of the Montana
Department of Transportation for a BUILD funding grant to complete the
southern half of the U.S. Highway 93 Alternate Route.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF THE
CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS 4TH DAY OF JUNE, 2018.
ATTEST:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Mark Johnson
Mayor