The reconstruction project of about 3 miles of U.S. 93 west of Whitefish has seen high traffic volumes and pervasive groundwater in its second season.  

The project is generally going OK and is still consistent with its plans and budget, but not without challenges, according to Luke Francis, Montana Department of Transportation's Missoula District projects delivery engineer. 

The state project, in partnership with Knife River Mountain West Division, has a budget of $18.5 million. 

Crews will continue working through the fall, finishing up the bulk of the work. After winter, final activities will resume in spring 2027. 

Once complete, there will be a new driving surface, designated turn lanes, guardrail, wider shoulders, new signage and a separated shared-use path with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant handrails and detectable warning devices. 

For now, drivers should continue to expect delays of about 20 minutes. Higher traffic creates longer wait times.  

As of the week of Aug. 10, a pilot car continued to be present round-the-clock. A water truck was being used to mitigate dust. 

In general, higher traffic volumes are the main cause of delays, rather than construction activities, Francis said.  

However, when crews encounter groundwater, it can increase traffic delays.  

"Every time we try to move dirt around or excavate down, we find water, and it quickly turns to muck," Francis said. "That is a pretty consistent challenge." 

The mucky water must be removed promptly once it's found. The water was expected but has just been "everywhere," Francis said.  

"The way this road is reconstructed and designed is, we're removing several feet of soil or road bed underneath the old roadway, and we're refilling that. That's partially designed because of the existing groundwater, but we find every time we excavate down we find groundwater.  

"A secondary challenge that has developed because of that is... the volume of traffic combined with the groundwater wreaks havoc on the driving surface." 

Francis said that crews are placing rocks to combat the groundwater. The coarse rock allows the water to flow through it while maintaining a solid foundation for the road above it. It's a long-term solution, but it isn't necessarily traffic-friendly in the short-term. 

Francis anticipates a return to two-way traffic soon.  

"We appreciate patience and understand people's frustrations with the traffic," he said. "That's a challenge for every MDT project. Traffic safety is the number one priority."  

For information and updates see mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93westwhitefish/. 

Editor Kelsey Evans can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.

The pedestrian path and tunnel are coming along for the U.S. Highway 93 West of Whitefish project. (Photo provided)

The pedestrian path and tunnel are coming along for the U.S. Highway 93 West of Whitefish project. (Photo provided)