MDT posts comments on U.S. 2 upgrade

No support for traditional four-lane roadway in canyon

The Montana Department of Transportation has posted online comments on the state's proposal to make improvements to U.S. 2 through Badrock Canyon to Hungry Horse.

The project has been in limbo for more than a decade, and MDT has not made any definite plans about what to do or how it will be funded. MDT director Jim Lynch and other highway personnel took input on the project at a public meeting in the Columbia Falls City Hall on May 12 and accepted additional comments through May 20.

MDT received 55 written comments. Safety was the top concern, with numerous comments referring to crashes, fatalities and head-on collisions. Poor weather, snow, ice and fast drivers were blamed, and several people asked for lower speed limits and more enforcement.

Bicycle and pedestrian usage was the second most referenced topic. Comments referred to the narrowness of the highway and the need for a separate bike path. Preserving the natural beauty of the corridor, with specific references to cottonwood trees, rock outcroppings and the Flathead River, was also a common concern. Some people referenced the cultural and historic aspects of the Canyon and how highway aesthetics could impact a local recreational-based economy.

None of the comments supported the idea of a traditional four-lane highway constructed through the narrow canyon, while some supported a new four-lane bridge over the South Fork of the Flathead River. Two people suggested construction of a double-deck highway as a way to preserve the natural beauty of the canyon, and one person suggested moving the highway to a higher elevation and running U.S. 2 through a tunnel.

Like many commenters, Jami Belt lives in the valley and commutes to work in West Glacier. She said she opposed a four-lane highway and preferred a wider two-lane roadway with turnouts and a bike path. She referenced a "self-interested vocal minority" that promoted the four-lane proposal.

Martin City residents Gerard and Loretta Byrd, who were in a head-on collision in the canyon Dec. 1, 2007, said they wanted safety improvements but "it is imperative that the natural beauty and history of Badrock Canyon be preserved." Noting that a four-lane highway would just make drunks drive faster, they called for a slight widening of the roadway and special techniques to slow traffic down.

Two people, including Lindsey Bengtson, of West Glacier, called for paving Blankenship Road to provide an alternative route to the Flathead Valley for Canyon commuters.

"I am torn about a solution," she said. "I think U.S. 2 at times is very dangerous, but I do not want to see the health of the river jeopardized by expansion of the road."

Flathead County parks director Jed Fisher called for a bike path, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist John Vore called for a wildlife underpass crossing west of Badrock Canyon.

Not everyone wanted improvements, including William Rinck, who has lived in the Canyon since 1963 and didn't want taxpayer money spent on the project during these harsh economic times.

"This road has served us well all these years," he said. "The current highway works fine - maintain it and it will serve us for many more years."

Martin City Realtor Bill Baum was concerned road improvements would lead to more development in the Canyon "which the local citizens would not be happy to see." He called for cracking down on drunk drivers to improve safety.

"It is road safety on Hwy 2 in Badrock Canyon vs. overcrowded living conditions for current residents who want to live isolated and remote lifestyles," he said.

Numerous people called for getting something done soon to improve safety, including Dee Brown, of Coram.

"Let's get ‘er done," she said.

For more information, visit online at www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/badrock/documents.shtml.