Council to consider trail routes

West Shore News

The Lakeside Community Council will be discussing potential routes for a Blacktail trail project at its meeting Tuesday.

The project recently was allocated $300,000 in funding by the Flathead County commissioners through the Montana Department of Transportation's Community Transportation Enhancement Program.

The goal is to build a bike and walk path along Blacktail Road.

There are currently three route options on the table. The starting point for all is at Youth For A Mission and all end at Stoner Loop.

The first option is to take the trail along the north and west sides of Blacktail Road, a second option is to take it on the south and east sides and a third is to go along the south side and then cut through Ben Williams Park and Ben Williams Road to the west side of Blacktail Road.

Maps of the potential routes are available online at www.lakesideplan2008.com/Blacktail_Trail.html as well as at the West Shore Library, the Lakeside Post Office and Blacktail Grocery Store.

The council meeting is intended to provide an opportunity for public input and possibly the selection of a preferred route. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District building.

Volunteers are needed for a Blacktail Trail Committee that will work with the Flathead County Planning and Zoning staff to complete the application as well as to design and construct the trail.

Design and construction work will be awarded through a bid process conducted by the planning office.

Those who want to help with the process can send their contact information to lakesidecommunitycouncil@bresnan.net or to Lakeside Community Council, PO Box 157, Lakeside, MT 59922.

One of the requirements for the funding is raising 14 percent matching funds within the community.

For this project, that equals about $42,000.

The aim is to have the committee work with local organizations and businesses to develop fundraising events. Donations are also welcome and will be collected in the Lakeside Community Development Foundation account at Flathead Bank.

Checks should be made payable to "Lakeside Community Development Foundation (Blacktail Trail)" and mailed to Flathead Bank (Blacktail Trail); P.O. Box 1002; Lakeside, MT 59922.