Construction on the long-anticipated Kalispell Parkline trail started at the beginning of the month.

Crews from contractor Sandry Construction started removing the railroad tracks in downtown Kalispell on June 1. Next, they will install water service and storm drains. To do this work, there will be a road closure from this week through Friday on Market Place Street between South Main Street and First Ave. EN.

Travelers should expect reduced speed limits and delays and adjust their travel times accordingly, Sandry Construction advised in a traffic update Monday.

“Sandry Construction is dedicated to expediting this project and apologizes for any inconvenience it may cause,” the update said, reminding drivers that fines double on roads when workers are present.

Removing the tracks is the first step in the construction process to turn the former railroad into a 1.6-mile linear park and multi-use trail.

The trail and complete street design were created by Alta Planning + Design and KLJ Engineering with input from city staff, local business owners and members of the public.

The trail will “dramatically increase safe avenues for healthy, non-motorized transportation, and provide an attractive backdrop for the new development plans along the corridor,” according to a press release from the city of Kalispell. “The Parkline Trail will connect to existing trails that allow a cyclist to ride to Somers, Flathead Lake, north Kalispell and Kila with little interference from motorized traffic.”

Construction alerts for the project will be posted on the city’s Construction Alert page and on the city’s social Facebook, and Twitter accounts.

To sign up for auto email construction alerts, go to https://www.kalispell.com/List.aspx.

To contact Sandry Construction, call 752-2419.

Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at 406-758-4459 or bserbin@dailyinterlake.com.