MDT holds open house on downtown highway study

The Montana Department of Transportation is creating a study that outlines options for improvements to U.S. Highway 93 in downtown.

The study first launched in 2019, and now a preferred concept and the study process is being presented during an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 22. The event is from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

“After thorough study, which included a tremendous amount of Whitefish community involvement, we’re now ready to share the study’s preferred concept,” Bob Vosen, District Administrator at the Montana Department of Transportation, said in a release. “This open house will give folks a chance to chat with the team about the study findings over the past year.”

No formal presentation is planned and the study team will lead attendees through the room’s display boards and answer questions.

The goal of the Downtown Whitefish Highway Study is to find ways to improve traffic flow and safety of the highway while maintaining the city’s unique character and economy, according to MDT.

Up to 16,000 vehicles per day can pass through Whitefish on the highway during the peak summer season, and at one downtown intersection during the summer season more than 8,000 pedestrians are also crossing the highway. In beginning the study, MDT said it was looking to address traffic congestion issues and recommend improvements for the highway and associated roadways in the downtown area.

The study is expected to recommend improvements for the highway from the intersection with 13th Street northward along Spokane Avenue to Second Street and west to Baker Avenue. The study will also consider improvements on Baker from Second to 13th, and existing or new east-west links between Baker and Spokane.

MDT says the study used a steering committee comprised of city staff, small business owners, and transportation experts to provide feedback throughout the process.

If a viable solution is identified through the study, a project will then move forward into MDT's nomination and funding phase, MDT notes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual session is being held on Thursday, Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for those unable to attend the in-person session. Display boards and the project team will be available during that time. To register, visit https://mt-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpcemgqj0tGNFrmCPPHz1b6s8V6nptfgxZ.

For those unable to attend the events, but who would like to provide comments can do so by contacting Amy Aiello at amy@bigskypublicrelations.com or by calling 406-207-4484, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on the downtown highway plan, visit https://www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/downtownwhitefish/