Links
Montana Department of Transportation
Click on City of Whitefish for local news and information. |
Project Description
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) proposes to reconstruct U.S. Highway 93 west of Whitefish to provide improved safety and operations for the traveling public. The project begins in Whitefish on Second Street west of Baker Avenue and ends west of Twin Bridges Road at milepost 133.
The existing two-lane highway, originally constructed in 1936, has experienced significant increases in traffic volumes due to growth and development within the Whitefish city limits and surrounding county. The existing facility wasn’t designed to handle these higher traffic volumes, and lacks important safety features like adequate stopping sight distance, shoulders, turn lanes, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and street lighting. This has contributed to a higher than average accident rate for this type of highway.
Traffic Data
2003 Average Daily Traffic |
10,200 vehicles |
2010 Average Daily Traffic |
12,200 vehicles |
2030 Projected Avg. Daily Traffic |
20,400 vehicles |
Percent Trucks |
2.6% |
Growth Rate |
2.6% |
Crash Data
Crashes per million vehicle miles travelled
|
Statewide Average for Rural NHS Primary Routes 2000 – 2004 |
Study Area
2002 – 2005 |
Vehicle Crash Rate: |
1.24 |
1.71 |
Vehicle Severity Index: |
2.31 |
2.03 |
Vehicle Severity Rate: |
2.88 |
3.47 |
Recorded Accidents: |
|
61 |
Construction Phasing
The project will be constructed in three phases beginning with the Lupfer to Karrow segment in 2013. The work will proceed west as funding becomes available and the necessary right-of-way is acquired.
Segment 1 – Lupfer to Karrow (anticipated 2013 construction)
Segment 2 – Karrow to West of Mountainside Drive (tentative 2014 construction)
Segment 3 – West of Mountainside Drive to Milepost 133 (2015 or beyond)
The project will be constructed while maintaining traffic on Highway 93. The public should expect delays and occasional one-way traffic control. Access to businesses and residents will be maintained during construction.
The work will include replacing the bridge over the Whitefish River, re-grading the highway to improve sight distance, construction of a new storm drain system, replacing sewer and water lines, relocation of the overhead utility lines, new curb and gutter, sidewalks, a multi-use path, bicycle/pedestrian underpasses, retaining walls, landscaping, and other related items.
The proposed project was originally evaluated under the 1994 U.S. 93 Somers to Whitefish West Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). A Re-Evaluation of the FEIS pertaining to the Whitefish West segment was prepared in 2008.
Project Status
What's Next? |
