Road work 'way ahead of schedule'

The massive reconstruction project on West Second Street is ticking along at a good pace. If the weather cooperates and all goes as planned, phase I could be completed as soon as the end of November.

This is good news for commuters and residents that have endured daily traffic delays, plumes of dust, and months of messy and sometimes loud work along the main thoroughfare.

Phase I of reconstruction from Baker to Karrow Avenue was originally scheduled to be completed mid-July of next year.

“We’re way ahead of schedule,” said project manager Jay McMillan of LHC Construction. “We pushed and added crews and everything came together. If everything stays on schedule, all the work should be completed this year.”

The Montana Department of Transportation project began in April and will revamp the west entrance to town. Work includes replacing the Second Street bridge, adding a center turn lane, installation of a bike path and sidewalk, new retaining walls, decorative street lights, landscaping, construction of a new storm drain system, and replacing sewer and water lines, and buried utilities.

Crews poured concrete Oct. 2 for the deck of the new bridge. The concrete will cure for 28 days before traffic is redirected onto the span.

“That will be a huge milestone,” McMillan said of the bridge completion.

Next week, work will begin on installing bridge railing, sidewalks and other aesthetic features.

Utility work on the west side of the Whitefish River is expected to be completed this week, signaling an end to most of the excavation and dirt work.

Paving will be completed by the end of October, depending on weather. Gutters, curbs and the pedestrian path will also be installed.

The temporary bridge will come down as soon as the new bridge opens. McMillan says demolition of the temporary bridge will take about one week.