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Summer 2018 Airport Road & South US 93 Neighbors Changes are coming to the Airport Road and US 93 South neighborhoods. In anticipation of that, the City of Kalispell Community Development Department has begun a planning process to identify improvements to traffic circulation in the immediate area of Airport Road, 18th Street, US 93 South and First Avenues East and West. In particu- lar we are looking at several key intersections that have had long term problems or are under performing. This includes the off-set intersection at 18th Street and Airport Road, the lack of any traffic signals at Airport Road and US 93 South and in particular how First Avenues East and West move traffic in and out of the down town and into south Kalispell. CHANGE IS COMING INDEED Airport Road is seeing growth and increased traffic. The new Rankin Elementary School on South Airport Road is set to open this fall. This school will have up to 50 people working there and serve students K-5. The 55 unit Ashley Lofts Apartment Complex is well under way and Southside Estates is planned to accommodate 80 new single family and townhouse lots. Then there is the unresolved problem of the off-set intersection at 18th and Airport Road and left-hand turn limitations at Airport Road and US 93. On top of these issues, Downtown Kalispell is seeing a resurgence of interest as well. More traffic travels from south Kalispell into the downtown and vice-versa. First Avenues East and West are key roads that can serve both areas. OPTIONS: The City has hired WGM Group, an engineering and design team, to help us navigate the options before us. WGM, with City staff input, developed eight different scenarios to help improve traffic flow in this area. This list was narrowed down to 4 options, primarily based on limited budget and the practicality of actually constructing the improvements within the funding period. Please note: Montana Department of Transportation requires that roundabouts be considered as an option for intersections. WE NEED YOUR INPUT We are looking for your input. We are in the very early stages of this process and we want to hear your thoughts concerning the options that have been developed to date. We are sending this letter out to all property owners in the immediate area. (See the attached map on back page.) We are also enclosing schematics of some of the options being considered. ---PAGE BREAK--- Intersection Concepts 4 Way Stop at 18th Street & Airport Road: Yes or No Realign 18th Street: Yes or No Traffic Signal at Airport Road & US 93: Yes or No Traffic Signal at Airport Road & US 93 and reconstructed intersection: Yes or No ---PAGE BREAK--- Intersection Concepts Single Lane Roundabout at 18th Street & Airport Road: Yes or No New Street Connection 18th Street & Airport Road: Yes or No Double Lane Roundabout at Airport Road & US 93: Yes or No Traffic Signal at First Ave E & US 93: Yes or No ---PAGE BREAK--- OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT Over the next few weeks we would like to hear from you and get your thoughts. There are 5 easy ways to comment: 1. Attend an open house at City Hall Council Chambers, scheduled Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 11:00 am—2:00 pm and 5:00—7:00 pm (201 First Ave. East). 2. Stop by the Planning Office at City Hall any time over the next few weeks (201 First Ave. East— Downstairs). 3. Send us an email at [EMAIL REDACTED] 4. Send us a letter addressed to Kalispell Planning Dept., PO Box 1997, Kalispell, MT 59903. 5. Give us a phone call at 406‐758‐7940. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: We will take your input and continue to refine the options. In the next 60 days we will have a series of community meetings to show a refined version of recommendations for traffic improvements in this area. If you have questions, please call Tom or Jarod at 758‐7940. N