Crosswalk work could last into July

From now through June, motorists traveling through Columbia Falls can expect short delays and one-lane traffic on the U.S. 2 strip as crews work on upgrading the crosswalks from Nucleus Avenue to Fourth Avenue West.

The work will bring the traffic signals and crosswalks up to Americans With Disability Act standards. That includes new “chirping” pedestrian signals. The Montana Department of Transportation recently let a contract to Stillwater Electric for $387,944 for the work.

The project includes relocating the poles that support traffic signals outside of the sidewalk area so wheelchairs and baby strollers can pass more easily. New traffic signals will be installed before the existing ones are removed.

The new traffic signals are expected to begin working by June 15. The existing signal equipment will be removed within the following 10 working days.

About 200 feet of pavement at the Fourth Avenue and Sixth Avenue intersections will be milled and then repaved. That work is scheduled to begin May 30 or 31, depending on weather. The repaving is expected to be completed before the new traffic signals are activated.

Other highway work planned for U.S. 2 from Columbia Falls to Marias Pass includes chip-sealing on several sections between West Glacier and the pass, but no major roadwork is currently on the schedule.

Columbia Falls city manager Susan Nicosia and mayor Don Barnhart expressed dismay at the timing of the work on the U.S. 2 strip, which will become busy with tourists after Memorial Day.