Montana Department of Transportation District Project Development Engineer Joel Boucher said the agency has plans to improve the intersection at U.S. Highway 93 and Montana 40, south of Whitefish, by widening Montana 40 and adding one additional left turn lane for drivers headed south on U.S. 93. 

One of the two left turn lanes will be shared with a through lane to the new development on the southwest corner of the intersection.  

Improvements to the intersection were mentioned last month when Whitefish City Council approved the annexation of about 18 acres and rezoned the property to business transitional. The applicant submitted a development agreement to give the Council an idea of the planned development, 256 housing units in 24 buildings and a clubhouse.   

MDOT will also resurface Montana 40 and add a center lane from U.S. 93 to Dillon Road. Boucher and Whitefish Public Works Director Craig Workman agree the two-way left lane will make it safer to take left turns off Montana 40. 

The state is also repaving U.S. 93 from Montana 40 south to the Majestic Arena, and tie into the repaving project they did a few years ago. 

"Hopefully with the construction date of 2027," Boucher said. "That's subject to change based on whether and based on funding." 

The agency meets in October to discuss its five-year forecast and its developing projects. 

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