Construction on Spokane finished for now; watermain replacement project to resume in spring
JULIE ENGLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 1 month AGO
Julie Engler covers Whitefish City Hall and writes community features for the Whitefish Pilot. She earned master's degrees in fine arts and education from the University of Montana. She can be reached at [email protected] or 406-882-3505. | December 7, 2022 1:00 AM
Whitefish drivers have all season to enjoy fewer backups on Baker Avenue since traffic has returned to two lanes on Spokane Avenue while work on the watermain replacement project pauses for the winter.
An unusually warm and dry fall allowed work on the Spokane Avenue Watermain Replacement Project to proceed smoothly through September and October. The project includes the replacement of approximately 4,500 feet of six-inch old cast iron watermain with new 18-inch PVC watermain.
Replacement of curb stops and fire hydrants are required within the project limits. Additionally, the city will make ADA upgrades within the reconstruction of Spokane Avenue at the intersections of Fourth Street and Fifth Street according to the city’s plans.
After beginning the project at Spokane Avenue and 13th Street, phase one of the construction was expected to work its way north and complete half the distance but crews ended up getting 75% of the pipe in the ground.
To date, Sandry Construction has installed approximately 3,500 feet of watermain on Spokane Avenue, with about 1,000 feet remaining to complete the project.
In the spring of 2023, phase two of construction is scheduled for March and will proceed north on Spokane Avenue to the intersection of East Second Street.
“The project will help reduce lead in the system by eliminating old joints that are packed with lead rope,” said Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman. “The project will also reduce water loss, prevent future watermain breaks and increase fire flows throughout the entire distribution system.”
Replacement of the cast iron water main on Spokane Avenue will allow the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) to make necessary improvements to this important corridor, thus increasing the safety of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, according to Workman.
“Final project completion is scheduled for late May 2023, at which point MDT is anticipated to complete a pavement maintenance project,” Workman added.
The age of the old, iron watermain is uncertain but Workman said, “The new pipe should give us about 100 years of service.”
ARTICLES BY JULIE ENGLER
Students share growth policy ideas with Planning Commission
A dozen Whitefish High School students presented ideas for Vision Whitefish 2045, the growth policy update, to the Planning Commission.
Habitat for Humanity pitches plan to build townhomes in Whitefish
The Whitefish City Council meeting last week began with the swearing in of reelected Councilors Ben Davis, Giuseppe Caltabiano and Andy Feury, and was followed by more swearing as the night saw an hour of intense public comment followed by three hearings and a handful of other items.
The Flag Man spreads cheer in Whitefish
Al Wallenstein, The Flag Man, has been “an honest man trying to make a living selling his wares” on a few street corners on the south side of Whitefish.