The final design and bidding for construction of East Sixth Street gained Whitefish City Council’s unanimous approval last week.

Two options for the road design were presented to the public in October. Option 2 was favored by the residents in attendance and city staff also recommended that option. 

Option 2 includes two-way vehicular traffic with 10-foot drive lanes, 2-foot curb and gutter, 6-foot boulevard and an 8-foot shared use path for a 38-foot total footprint between Spokane Avenue and Columbia Avenue. 

From Columbia Avenue to Pine Avenue, the plan shows one-way vehicular traffic with a 12-foot drive lane and all other features the same as the western blocks, with a 30-foot total footprint. 

“Although Option 2 will create two additional blocks of one-way traffic ... we feel that the grid system that currently exists in this area will be capable of effectively dispersing traffic and not impede emergency response efforts,” Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman said. 

The third public meeting about the project will be held in January and construction is expected to take place from May through August 2025, with East Sixth Street remaining open until school is out in early June. However, the roadway will be closed to through traffic once school is not in session. 

The total cost for the project is estimated at $2,669,775 and is slated to be paid for by the resort tax fund.

    A map shows the proposed rebuild of East Sixth Street in Whitefish.
  

    A map shows the proposed rebuild of East Sixth Street in Whitefish.