Accelerated-merge Lane Proposed at Highway 93 and Kalispell Bypass Intersection

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly provided information about a separate Basecamp Drive project.

To address traffic congestion at the southern end of the Kalispell Bypass, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) in February hosted an open house to present three potential alternatives to improve traffic flow at the intersection of U.S. Highway 93 and the bypass.

In 2019, KLG Engineering studied the Basecamp Drive intersection and identified traffic congestion at the intersection of the southern end of the Kalispell Bypass and U.S. Highway 93, which backs up to the Basecamp Drive interchange.

MDT presented three alternatives, each of which includes a right turn acceleration-merge lane for traffic turning off the bypass heading south on Highway 93.

“The reason for this study is to look at Basecamp Drive and see how it functions,” MDT Missoula District Administrator Bob Vosen said. “We were having congestion issues with the intersection of Highway 93 and the bypass.”

Officials are working to design alternative routes to prevent worsening traffic congestion.

One option includes dual left turns onto the bypass, which will allow more space for the high number of turning vehicles and efficient turning movements. The east approach, across from the bypass, would provide dedicated turn lanes.

A second option includes a displaced northbound turn lane for travelers turning left onto the bypass from Highway 93. These vehicles would cross over approximately 600 feet south of the main intersection and travel adjacent to opposing traffic with a separated median, which would spread out conflict points and improves traffic flow. Right turn lanes for traffic heading onto the bypass and southbound traffic on Highway 93 would also be added.

The final option, known as the Green T, would entail dual turn lanes onto the bypass, preventing northbound traffic from stopping. There would also be right turn lanes for traffic heading onto the bypass and heading south on Highway 93.

“The benefits are about the same for all of the options, and that’s just helping traffic flow,” Vosen said. “The biggest thing is it allows it to keep traffic flowing south. It’s all about managing the traffic flowing through the intersection. All three options have pretty similar benefits.”

MDT officials could also leave the existing intersection as it is, but Vosen says that would not be a sustainable option.

“It’s still functioning OK today, but long term we’ll need a different option,” Vosen said.

“Basecamp Drive will most likely be the last part of the bypass,” Vosen added. “Traffic will continue to grow in the valley and there’s always going to be something we’re going to have to do.”

The U.S. Highway 93 and bypass intersection likely won’t begin for at least five years.

To view the alternatives, visit https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/kalispellbypass/basecamp-open-house.aspx.

Separately, crews began resuming final construction near Ashley Creek south of the U.S. Highway 2 exit in the first week of March. The southbound lane near Ashley Creek will temporarily be closed and traffic will be redirected for approximately 30 days.

Full construction on the Foys Lake Interchange will resume in April, which will include final chip seal application and road line painting.