Major intersection could open Oct. 4

Good news for Whitefish commuters.

Construction work at the massive Second Street Improvement Project is progressing quickly, Gary Kalberg of Stelling Engineers told a group of downtown business owners and concerned citizens Sept. 22 at an informal meeting.

The intersection at Baker Avenue and Second Street could be paved and open to traffic as early as Oct. 4, barring any inclement weather or unforeseen setbacks.

Kalberg says the deep utility work is nearly complete and that “the other work will come together real fast.”

The sanitary sewer main is in from Lupfer Avenue to the alley between Baker and Central Avenues. The water main is in from Glacier Cyclery to the same alley.

A crew will dig to subgrade level today and possibly place fabric and other materials for the road. Friday they will place gravel and start forming the curbs and gutters. The concrete for the curbs and crosswalks could be poured as early as Saturday.

Crews hope to have the street paved between Lupfer and Baker by the end of next week.

The detours will change when the Baker and Second intersection opens, Kalberg says, although the two blocks between Baker and Spokane Avenue will still be closed.

While the Baker intersection will be open, it won’t be a complete product. The left-turn bays won’t be marked and the old traffic signals will be used until next spring.