U.S. 93 north of Kalispell gets traffic signal

The intersection of U.S. 93 and Rose Crossing north of Kalispell is undergoing some major changes to accommodate increasing traffic spurred by new development in the area.

Among the most noticeable changes will be the addition of a four-way stop light at the intersection, according to John Schmidt, District Construction Engineer for the Montana Department of Transportation’s Kalispell district.

The new intersection will have dedicated left turn lanes, replacing the current set up of a middle turn lane for both north and southbound vehicles. There will also be three lanes for the eastbound and westbound approaches, including turn lanes in both directions and through lanes.

Pedestrian crossings, ADA compliant ramps and crosswalks will be installed on all corners of the intersection.

In a move to further increase safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists in the area, an advanced warning flasher will also be installed to advise southbound drivers that they should “be prepared to stop" when approaching the signal.

The changes were necessary due to the growing traffic burden on the intersection, driven by adjacent developments, Schmidt wrote in an email.

The Department of Transportation reviewed traffic impact studies completed by developers on both sides of US 93 and monitored traffic counts. Using the information, the department concluded that installing a traffic light was needed to mitigate the increasing impact on the roads, according to Schmidt.