Although the Baker Avenue pedestrian underpass has been functional for almost two years, it was officially opened last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, complete with speeches from Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman and Stumptown Art Studio Executive Director Melanie Drown.

The City of Whitefish says the underpass was constructed to create a connection between downtown and the railway district. Construction began in September 2020 and the bulk of it was completed that fall. Final touches to the construction were completed in spring 2021 and this summer the first phase of artwork was installed.

“The Baker Avenue Underpass… serves as a safe route to school for many students and delivers a protected pedestrian link between various city parks and other recreational amenities,” Workman said. “The design team has worked hard to deliver a tunnel that is clean, well lit and spacious enough to safely accommodate bicycle and pedestrian traffic.”

The underpass was designed by WGM Group with Stephanie Reynolds as the lead design engineer and the construction was completed by LHC. Karin Hilding, Senior Engineer for the City of Whitefish, managed this project.

“As you walk through downtown you notice improvements such as widened sidewalks,

pedestrian-scale street lights, landscaped bulb-outs and well-defined crosswalks,” Workman continued. “The Baker Avenue Underpass is just one more example in a long line of important projects aimed to achieve this pedestrian-friendly environment and enhance the character of

downtown Whitefish.”

Phase one of the public art project installed on the north side of the tunnel is made of steel panels and cast glass. The piece called, “Reflections on Whitefish” is not completely finished.

“We’re going to extend them (the panels) out wall to wall so it pretty much covers the whole tunnel,” artist and Stumptown Studio Educational Coordinator Charity Flowers explained. “The lights can change colors so we can set them for the seasons. Hopefully, it’ll be a little bit different every time you’re whizzing through the tunnel.”

Drown noted that the art project was funded through grants as well as Stumptown Studio funds. She called the city “amazing” for inviting them to work in the space.

“It's been two years in the planning and creating,” said Drown. “Phase two is going to be on the south wall; it’s going to be about rivers and streams, depicting local water sources.”

Flowers added that they are hoping to “promote lots of public art throughout the valley.”

Whitefish's Deputy Mayor Frank Sweeney was on hand to cut the ribbon and the sizable crowd that gathered for the event enjoyed refreshments and the company of friends.