Whitefish City Council on Tuesday will discuss sponsoring a federal request for the proposed roundabout at Big Mountain Road and East Lakeshore Drive.  

A redesign of the intersection by WGM Group calls for relocating the intersection outside of the existing horizontal curve on East Lakeshore Drive to improve safety and intersection operations, along with installing a roundabout. 

Council will discuss the project at a work session at 5:30 p.m. Council meets on Tuesday because of the Labor Day holiday. The regular meeting begins at 7:10 p.m. at City Hall, 418 E. Second St. 

Community Project Funding allows members of Congress to direct federal funds toward specific local infrastructure projects.  

WGM Group has suggested the funding mechanism for the project, which is estimated to cost between $4.5 million and $6 million. The firm says that the federal funding opportunity could deliver transportation and safety improvements to the intersection, but applying for the grant would not obligate the city to construct the project.  

A roundabout would improve traffic operations during both peak periods and typical daily conditions, according to a memo by WGM engineers Mike Brodie and Stephen McDaniel, pointing to the peak in traffic that happens on the road as access to Whitefish Mountain Resort.  

"In addition to reducing vehicle delay, the project improves safety by reducing conflict points and lowering vehicle speeds through the intersection," the memo says. "The proposed realignment of Big Mountain Road also removes the intersection from the existing horizontal curve, providing significantly improved visibility for approaching motorists and creating a safer intersection geometry." 

The proposed roadway improvements would also assist with a future fire station being considered near the intersection. It would also resolve a right-of-way condition as the current alignment of Big Mountain Road crosses property under an easement rather than within a dedicated public right-of-way.  

During its regular meeting, Council is set to vote on a memorandum of understanding with the North Lake Community Fire Association. The agreement allows for an application for an easement on Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Trust Lands for 1.5 acres to build a fire station.  

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch can be reached at 406-758-4421 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.