Flathead County supports Kalispell's third attempt at federal grant to finish south half of U.S. 93 Bypass
HANNAH SHIELDS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Traffic travels along the Kalispell Bypass as snow falls on Tuesday, Dec. 20. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
RURAL GOVERNMENT REPORTER, REPORT FOR AMERICA Hannah Shields covers rural government and accountability reporting for the Daily Inter Lake and Northwest Montana weekly papers as part of the national Report for America program. Her reporting focuses on transparency, public spending and the impact of local government decisions on small communities. Shields has covered issues ranging from school district finances to development disputes and rural infrastructure projects. She regularly uses public records and investigative reporting to examine institutions that affect local residents. Her work helps bring greater oversight and visibility to rural government across Northwest Montana. IMPACT: Hannah’s work strengthens transparency and accountability in rural communities that often lack consistent watchdog coverage. | February 28, 2026 11:00 PM
Flathead County commissioners approved a resolution showing support for Kalispell’s application for a federal grant to fund the completion of the south half of the U.S. 93 Bypass mere hours before the Feb. 24 deadline.
Commissioner Pamela Holmquist, who moved to approve the resolution, noted the project has been underway during the entirety of her career as county commissioner. She recalled traveling to Washington, D.C. to lobby for the same grant that funded the first section of the project nearly a decade ago.
“It was really a great opportunity to better our infrastructure for traffic,” Holmquist said. “I am hopeful they will get this and complete that great project over there.”
Kalispell City Council voted Feb. 17 to submit an application for $25 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grant program. This is the city’s third time applying for the competitive grant, in partnership with the Montana Department of Transportation. If awarded, the funding would complete the bypass project.
City Manager Jarod Nygren is optimistic about the city’s chances this time around. The likelihood of success typically increases each year, he said at the City Council meeting, pointing to how it took three tries for the city to secure a federal grant for the Parkline Trail.
The federal transportation department also announced $1.5 billion in program funding through 2026, compared to last year’s $488 million.
Construction plans include replacing the roundabout at Airport Road with a double-roundabout interchange, similar to the one completed at Foy’s Lake Road in 2022. The interchange would feature an overpass and four access ramps, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The Basecamp Drive/bypass intersection to U.S. would be fitted with dual northbound left-turn lanes on U.S. 93, doubling turning capacity for vehicles accessing the bypass.
The Foy’s Lake Road section received $12.75 million from the same grant in 2018.
Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected].
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