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Infrastructure

Kalispell Receives $25 million for West Reserve Upgrade

Funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure bill U.S. Sen. Jon Tester helped negotiate last year

By Micah Drew
West Reserve Drive in Kalispell on March 16, 2021. Hunter D’Antuono | Flathead Beacon

Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester on Dec. 16 announced Kalispell will receive $25 million from the Rural Surface Transportation Grant to help the city widen West Reserve Road from three lanes to five, a provision created as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill the third-term Democrat helped negotiate last summer. 

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was the first major legislative effort to succeed under the Biden administration and passed through Congress with bipartisan support, including a 69-30 vote in the Senate. It was opposed by Montana Republican Congressman Matt Rosendale and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines. 

“A strong economy starts with safe and reliable infrastructure,” Tester stated in a press release. “Top-notch roads, bridges, and highways improve connectivity and prevent the supply chain disruptions that put a real hurt on working families and small business owners. I am proud to have secured this funding for the City of Kalispell to expand critical transportation infrastructure, boost the local economy, and create good-paying Montana jobs – all while keeping folks in the community safe.”

The city of Kalispell submitted a project application to make improvements on West Reserve Road. The total project is estimated to cost $33 million, with the Montana Department of Transportation funding the difference. 

Based on a 2021 corridor study, West Reserve Drive is near capacity and the intersections of Highway 93, Whitefish State Road and Highway 2 are particularly concerning and are failing, according to officials. 

The improvement project will include widening West Reserve Road to five lanes, widening Stillwater Bridge, adding a shared use path and sidewalks, and improving intersections with Hutton Ranch Road and Whitefish Stage Road.