Kalispell is looking to reapply for a federal grant program to fund the completion of the south half of the U.S. 93 Bypass.  

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development competitive grant program provides funding for local and regional transportation infrastructure projects. The city, in partnership with the Montana Department of Transportation, has unsuccessfully applied for funds twice in the past two years 

“But hopefully the third time’s the charm,” said City Manager Jarod Nygren at a Tuesday Chamber of Commerce luncheon.   

The maximum amount of money that can be requested is $25 million, which is how much the city asked for last year and in 2024.  

The state Department of Transportation is responsible for the remainder of the estimated $40 million project cost. But the agency must first verify that it can fit the dollars in its budget before an application is approved by Kalispell City Council.   

“I haven’t gotten far enough to where I would be bringing it to Council yet because I want some assurances from [Montana Department of Transportation] that they’re going to be able to move forward with the project,” Nygren told the Inter Lake. 

Future construction at the south end of the bypass is divided into two planned projects that would be funded by the grant.  

One project would replace the roundabout at Airport Road with a double-roundabout interchange similar to the one completed at Foy’s Lake Road in 2022. The interchange would feature an overpass and four access ramps, according to the state Department of Transportation. 

The other would reconfigure the Basecamp Drive/bypass intersection to U.S. 93, which would include dual northbound left-turn lanes on the highway, doubling turning capacity for vehicles hopping on the bypass. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].