The Columbia Falls City Council approved a letter urging the paving of the North Fork Road.

The city has written letters in the same flavor in the past, most notably in 2023 when the county was seeking federal funding for an environmental review of paving it from the Camas Road south to just above Glacier Rim.

“Over the past 15-plus years, visitation to Glacier National Park and the North Fork area has increased dramatically, placing sustained and growing pressure on unpaved infrastructure. 

“This growth has made the county’s routine maintenance of North Fork Road increasingly difficult and costly, while simultaneously reducing reliability and safety for recreational access. Paving this segment would significantly reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve year-round reliability, and enhance emergency access during peak visitor seasons. Columbia Falls serves as a primary gateway to Glacier National Park and the North Fork. 

“Improving this corridor would deliver regional economic benefits, supporting local businesses, outfitting services, lodging, and recreation-based employment, while reinforcing Columbia Falls’ role as a safe and welcoming access point for residents and visitors alike. The City Council respectfully urges Flathead County and the Montana Department of Transportation to collaborate on funding strategies to advance this project. 

“We stand ready to support intergovernmental coordination, grant advocacy, and public engagement efforts necessary to move this improvement forward. Thank you for your continued partnership and consideration of this critical infrastructure need,” the letter reads in part.

The debate over paving that section of the road spans decades, with opponents worried about impacts to wildlife and the landscape; with proponents claiming that paving the road will be better for the North Fork of the Flathead, as it will mean far less dust going into the river every summer. Whatever the case, any sort of paving project would likely take millions in federal funding. First for an environmental review, as a host of Endangered Species are in play and secondly, to actually pave it.

One problem with the road is it doesn’t actually go anywhere. It dead ends at the Canada Border. Decades  ago there were plans for a route to go to Waterton Lakes National Park over Akimina Pass, but they never came to fruition.