The load limit on the west end of Church Drive will be revised to allow truckloads of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer to reach West Valley farmers during the spring breakup season.

The Flathead County commissioners voted 2-1 to change the weight limit on Church Drive from 350 to 400 pounds per inch of tire width for 3.8 miles between Prairie View and Farm to Market roads.

The remainder of Church Drive between U.S. 93 and Prairie View Road, along with the portion of Church Drive west of Farm to Market Road will continue at 350 pounds per inch of tire width.

West Valley farmers last week had asked the commissioners to make the change because they need the fertilizer delivered in time for spring planting season, which could come before the seasonal weight limits are lifted on county roads.

Commissioner Phil Mitchell voted against making the change, saying if he supported it the county would be “stuck with doing an exception” for a certain group of people.

“Politically, people are unhappy,” Mitchell said, referring to a number of phone calls he’s gotten over the issue.

Mitchell also faulted Commissioner Gary Krueger, who is one of the West Valley farmers affected by the load limit on Church Drive, from not bringing the matter to the Road Department’s attention a year ago when it was discovered Church Drive had been changed from a 400- to 350-pound limit.

Mitchell further said Krueger should abstain from voting on the Church Drive issue because he owns farmland in that area and has a personal interest regarding the road weight limit in his neighborhood.

Krueger admitted in hindsight he should have contacted county Public Works Director Dave Prunty earlier about the load-limit discrepancy.

“It snuck up on me,” Krueger said. “I will strive to do better in the future.”

Krueger voted for the load-limit change.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist had been opposed to making an exception for Church Drive, but on Tuesday said she believes load-limit decisions should be made by the Road Department, and that she would support what the department recommended.

Prunty said the Road Department inadvertently changed the load limit to 350, and said road officials were unaware of a 2008 engineering study for Church Drive that explained the structural integrity of the road. Also, in the 1970s residents in that area provided material to build a stronger road bed. Given the structural integrity of Church Drive he had recommended returning a portion of the road to 400 pounds.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.