PROJECT HISTORY


SUMMARY OF PAST ACTIVITY
1992 – 1994
  US 93, Somers to West of Whitefish Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) considers alternatives for US 93. The EIS combined several ongoing and planned projects from Somers to Whitefish, including the Kalispell Bypass. An Advisory Committee is established to guide the process.

1993
  The Kalispell Transportation Plan and Bypass Feasibility Study issued in October recommends westside bypass around Kalispell.

1994
  FEIS recommends western bypass around Kalispell as preferred alternative.
  Record of Decision (ROD) on US 93, Somers to West of Whitefish approved in November. Alternative B (West Kalispell Bypass) is included in ROD as the preferred alternative.

1995
  MDT identifies six of the projects covered in the FEIS to begin design work.

1996
    MDT begins design on the six projects including preliminary design for corridor preservation on the Kalispell Bypass. Several revisions to the Bypass alignment shown in the FEIS are proposed based on community input.
 US 93 (Montana 40 – South & Grandview North) projects awarded for construction in April.

1997
  MDT and FHWA approve right-of-way plans for the Kalispell Bypass based upon the Corridor Preservation plans. Plans are placed on file at the Flathead County Courthouse in February and right-of-way acquisition begins Designation of Access Highway Resolution.
  US 93 (Montana 40 - North) project awarded for construction in June.

1999
  US 93 (Somers - Ashley Creek - South) project awarded for construction in June.

2000
 US 93 (Somers - Ashley Creek - North) project awarded for construction in May.

2003
  MDT begins design of the US 93, Whitefish Urban area.

2004
  US 93 (Ashley Creek – Kalispell) project awarded for construction
in February Designation of Access Highway Resolution.
  In June, MDT begins re-evaluation of the Kalispell Bypass portion of the 1994 FEIS and begins preliminary design for the Bypass.
  Kalispell Bypass kickoff meeting in June to familiarize community with project.
  Kalispell Bypass public scoping meeting in August to identify potential issues.
  Montana Transportation Commission approves Limited Access Resolution for Bypass in August.

2006
  REIS for Kalispell Bypass was signed in July 2006. Environmental impacts were disclosed at the August 2005 public meeting and there have been no new significant environmental issues raised. The NEPA re-evaluation process is completed with signature of the re-evaluation of the Environmental Document.
  Public meetings were held in May & July 2006 to discuss the project phasing. MDT selected the first segment for construction in September 2006, based upon community and agency comments and recommendations (MDT Press Release).

2007
  The Reserve Loop project constructed 1.2 miles of new four-lane roadway at the Bypass' north end in 2007. The project included the area's first modern roundabout at Stillwater Road. More information can be found on the MDT website's roundabout page.
  Right-of-way moves to active acquisition

2008
  Project design is changed; to allow staged construction through "interim" projects. Interim projects will build a two-lane road with at-grade access (roundabouts at Airport Road, Foys Lake Road, and Reserve Loop) to match initial project segments to available funding.
  Neighboorhood meetings held for noise mitigation discussions.
  Right-of-way continues to be acquired, with emphasis on lands south of US 2 (south segment).
  Final design of Reserve Drive-South Project is completed. This project will connect Hutton Ranch Road to West Reserve Drive (east of US 93 near the Stillwater River bridge). This road connection can relieve traffic at the future Bypass intersection with US 93 and W. Reserve Drive. A traffic signal will enable access to West Reserve Drive. Acquisition of the necessary R/W is being completed. This project is awaiting construction funding.

Final design of the Hutton Ranch Plaza project is completed. This project will slightly improve the existing Hutton Ranch Road, for future use as an alternate route through the US 93 / Bypass intersection. No right-of-Way acquisition is needed but slight utility relocations are required along with construction of additional traffic lanes.
 "Reserve Loop and South Segment set as first construction efforts" The Kalispell City Council, Flathead County Commission and MDT recommended Bypass construction begin with the Reserve Loop and the south segment (US 2 South) (MDT Press Release).

2009
  Project design is completed for the bypass section south of US 2. This portion of the Bypass is split into multiple segments which are under construction and expected to be open to traffic at enf of 2010.

2010
Refer to Construction Page for contacts and web camera link.
Construction of the interim roadway (2-lane) south of US 2 is underway and expected to be complete by end of 2010. 
Design is being finalized for the extension of Hutton Ranch Road which is expected to be contracted in 2010.