Hello Flathead Valley, Zoë Buhrmaster here, back this week with an update on another local project as we slowly slip into spring and with it, peak construction season.
Starting Monday, construction crews will take up their place again on Reserve Drive from Hutton Ranch Roach to Whitefish Stage Road, adding lanes and updating intersections. Current traffic signals at the intersection of West Reserve Drive and Whitefish Stage Road will remain active until the turn lanes are finished later this season. Until then, drivers should anticipate up to 15 minutes delays.
Drivers should also be aware of lane configuration changes in the area and reduced speed limits. Construction will run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., though that is subject to change based on weather or unforeseen circumstances, MDT officials said.
The project is a collaboration between the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and Kalispell to improve the area via a recommendation from the West Reserve Drive Corridor Planning Study. In 2023, the state and city selected Schellinger Construction and DJ&A Engineering for the project and construction began in 2024.
The project expands West Reserve Drive from three to five lanes between Hutton Ranch Road and Whitefish Stage Road and also adds a center turn lane and a shared-use path. The intersections at Hutton Ranch and Whitefish Stage will each feature dedicated turn lanes, new traffic signals, and concrete surfacing.
“This continues to be a much-needed project for the Flathead Valley,” John Schmidt, MDT Missoula acting district administrator, said. “Multiple projects are taking place in this area over the next few years, all in different phases. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to move everything forward in a safe and timely fashion.”
MDT officials anticipate the project will be finished in November this year. For updates, you can text RESERVEDRWHITEF to 41411 or visit MDT’s project webpage here.
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