The Daily Inter Lake

The reconstruction of six-tenths of a mile of West Idaho Street in Kalispell is nearing the halfway point. But driving conditions won’t be getting better anytime soon.

Crews hope to shift over to the southern two lanes Wednesday as they finish their work on the northern two lanes of U.S. 2 between First Avenue West and Meridian Road.

But that goal is weather-dependent and uncertain with a rainy forecast this week, said Bob Vosen, a construction engineer for the Montana Department of Transportation.

“We want to get in and get out as quick as we can, but we don’t want to sacrifice quality working in poor weather,” Vosen said.

Work on the West Idaho Street project started April 9. Both directions of travel have been reduced to the highway’s southern two lanes since April 22.

Weather permitting, crews were on track to finish the concrete resurfacing of the northern two lanes Monday, and then finish up some asphalt work on driveways and side streets today.

They would then start milling down the southern two lanes and removing curbs and sidewalks that need to be replaced, shifting vehicle traffic over to the northern two lanes.

The $1.699 million contract was awarded to Riverside Contracting Inc. of Missoula. 

Crews are a little behind schedule for the 60-working-day contract but still on track to finish within the allotted time, Vosen said.

“We’re getting close to halfway.”

On the southern two lanes of the highway, crews will start at Meridian Road and proceed east, working from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Limited business access will be maintained with gravel approaches or side streets.

Drivers still should consider alternate routes. In the work zone, drivers should expect congestion, delays and flaggers with workers and equipment on or near the roadway. 

Left turns will continue to be prohibited in the work zone and a 12-foot width restriction will remain in effect.

“We’re aware it’s a hassle,” Vosen said of the project. “Just watch out for the workers out there and obey the traffic control devices.”

IN NORTH Kalispell, work continues to build Reserve Drive South. 

When completed, the new road will connect West Reserve Drive to Hutton Ranch Road, running just east of the Mountain View Plaza shopping center.

Traffic has been detoured to the north side of West Reserve Drive and both lanes will have a 12-foot width restriction through June.

Drivers should expect short delays, reduced speeds, flaggers and portable traffic signals stopping both directions of traffic between U.S. 93 and the Stillwater River Bridge.

Work will require intermittent closure of the north approach to Home Depot.

The $2.9 million contract was awarded to LHC Inc. of Kalispell.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at [email protected].