POLSON - A new study by the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), in cooperation with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County and the City of Polson will seek to determine financially feasible improvement options and safety, environmental and geometric concerns along U.S. Highway 93 near Polson.

The 12-month corridor study will focus on a 6.5 mile stretch of highway north of Caffrey Road to roughly one mile beyond the Rocky Point Road intersection. Strictly a planning study and not a design or environmental review project, future steps, if any, will be determined by the planning committee after the study is completed next year.

The planning team will assess the complexity of issues within the corridor and the level of effort required to address those issues. Cost, availability of funding, and phasing possibilities will all be taken into consideration within each possible improvement option.

This study will consider the feasibility of a truck route, including those potential truck routes brought forward in the 1996 US 93-Evaro to Polson Environmental Impact Statement. Potential scenic sections along Flathead Lake, flood plains, water quality, aquatic resources and threatened and endangered species will also be discussed.

According to the study's website, an existing and projected conditions report will analyze existing and projected conditions, incorporate findings from an environmental scan, and consider local community vision, goals and objectives. Perceived corridor deficiencies, known impacts and potential mitigation opportunities will be documented as part of the report.

The general public is invited to participate in the process through public meetings (scheduled to begin today) and ongoing project information review and input. A study website has been developed to provide on-line opportunities for public comment on the needs of the US 93 corridor and later on the draft plan recommendations. Dates, times, and locations for all public outreach opportunities will be announced prior to the events and since there is no formal comment period for this study, comments will be considered throughout the 12 month study process.

For coverage of the meeting, see the Sept. 16 edition of the Leader.