MDT announces plans for U.S. 2 bike path

The Montana Department of Trans-portation is looking for public input on another piece of the bike path pie in Columbia Falls.

Last week, MDT announced it was soliciting public comment on a shared use bike path that will run from the Flathead River Bridge to just beyond the House of Mystery.

The proposed work includes constructing an asphalt shared-use path that will connect to the bridge sidewalk on the south side of U.S. Highway 2 and continue to the intersection of U.S. 2 Highway 206. The path will then cross to the north side of U.S. 2 where the existing 5-foot wide concrete sidewalk will be widened to 10 feet. The concrete shared-use path will continue to reference post 138.5 where it will transition back to asphalt. The asphalt path will continue to just past the House of Mystery at the driveway approach to Glacier ZipLines at reference post 140.3. New guardrail and Americans With Disabilities Act ramps are also proposed.

The purpose of the project, MDT said, is to provide safe travel for non-motorized users and eventually connect Columbia Falls to West Glacier through future path projects that are planned or currently under construction.

There is already a shared-used path from Hungry Horse to West Glacier and the Gateway to Glacier Trail group is also working on plans for a mountain-bike pedestrian path along the Flathead River from the bridge to the House of Mystery on Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. owned land. That project should start this year.

A construction timeframe has not been established for the Highway 2 path, but when it’s completed, it will provide for a nice loop route, bike enthusiasts have noted. Construction of the Highway 2 path will depend on completion of design and availability of funds, said district administrator Ed Toavs.

Minimal right-of-way and relocation of utilities will be required, he noted. MDT staff will contact all potentially affected landowners prior to performing survey work on their land. Staff will again contact landowners prior to construction regarding property acquisition and temporary construction permits.

For more information, people can contact Ed Toavs at (406) 523-5802 or preconstruction engineer Shane Stack at (406) 523-5830. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Montana Department of Transportation Missoula office at P.O. Box 7039, Missoula, MT 59807-7039, or online at: www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml