Editorial: Big Mountain roundabout a smart fix

A public-private effort to address a serious traffic and safety issue that has long plagued Whitefish received a positive reception from Whitefish City Council last week.

Design firm WGM Group introduced a plan to install a roundabout at the intersection of Big Mountain Road and East Lakeshore Drive and reroute a portion of Big Mountain Road away from the dangerous sightlines on East Lakeshore. The firm suggested the city pursue federal Community Project Funding to help fund the project’s estimated $4.5 million to $6 million price tag. 

Rep. Ryan Zinke’s office helped identify the road redesign plan as a strong candidate for the federal program that targets critical infrastructure and service initiatives. Applying for the grant does not obligate the city to construct the project.

Peak traffic flow on Wisconsin Avenue and Big Mountain Road has reached a tipping point over the past decade as Whitefish’s year-round population has grown alongside the popularity of Whitefish Mountain Resort. Traffic jams stretching miles up the road to the ski resort are common on winter weekend afternoons as thousands of skiers head home after a day on the slopes, while mornings with fresh snow bring “powder panic” traffic that can back up from Big Mountain Road to U.S. 93 on the south side of town.

A roundabout would immediately alleviate some of those backups by accommodating a continuous flow of traffic on and off the mountain. Not only would this relieve residents, workers and resort visitors, but it also would address a long-standing concern about access along the primary evacuation and emergency response corridor serving Big Mountain. Law enforcement officers currently staff the intersection on busy days to help keep traffic moving, but that may not be an option in an emergency.

“The roundabout will not require law enforcement to operate in this manner, allowing them to serve greater needs in times of emergency,” the proposal states, while also noting the potential for reduced emergency response times with less traffic congestion.

Strong support for a public-private partnership also makes the project an attractive candidate for the federal funding program.

The private landowner adjacent to the current road has indicated a willingness to assist with matching funds and to accommodate a right-of-way for a realignment of the intersection on property to the east. The plan not only places the new intersection in a safer location, but also aligns the road with the site proposed for a second fire station in Whitefish. While the fire station concept remains in its infancy — a levy vote could go before voters next fall — realigning the road with a future emergency facility would make logistical sense as more housing is built in this area of the city.

It is not often that the pieces of a puzzle fall into place so conveniently. The council would be wise to seize what could be a one-time opportunity to finally complete this much-needed infrastructure project without squeezing local taxpayers.