Highway 93 Corridor

The UWSA did reach out to Commissioner Brodehl after the meeting. Commissioner Brodehl was at the intersection of Stoner Loop, Blacktail Road and Hwy 93 the next day with someone from the Kalispell Road Department to see if it was possible to put a stop sign on Blacktail Road. Due to the distance from Hwy 93 and the stop sign there, there are some concerns. So Commissioner Brodehl and the Road Dept felt it was necessary to have this intersection evaluated by an engineer to see what can be done.

This evaluation came directly from the communities concerns voiced during the August 7th meeting. We appreciate Commissioner Brodehl literally dropping everything to personally come take a look at this intersection that very next day. We will keep you posted on any new information regarding this intersection.

Bob Vosen was also able to get an extension for the comment period to the Corridor Study. If you have not yet taken a look at that and submitted any comments or concerns the information to do so is here: https://mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/us93polsonsomers/

The Public review period has been extended to September 19, 2025

If you would like to submit your questions ahead of time, please check out this Google Doc: https://

Event Details

What: Community Information Session
When: Thursday, August 7th, at 7:00 PM
Where: Lakeside QRU, 201 Bills Rd, Lakeside, MT
Who: Co-hosted by Citizens for a Better Flathead, Upper West Shore Alliance, and North Shore Water Alliance. Featuring Dr. Richard Hauer and MDT's Bob Vosen.

The second half of the meeting will focus on the serious traffic safety and congestion issues plaguing highway 93 in Lakeside. The UWSA has long advocated for action, pointing to new developments that continue to exacerbate the traffic problems. This includes the Corridor Study, Speed Studies, Pedestrian Studies and now seeking answers to the solution for Bierney Creeks Crosswalk woes.

Please join us for this meeting for a chance to have your own concerns heard and hopefully get some answers from MDT's District Administrator for the Missoula/Flathead area, Bob Vosen.

If you would like to submit your questions ahead of time, please check out this Google Doc: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfJMJfJsVozj1.../viewform

Corridor Study Approved for US 93 from Polson to Somers

July 7, 2024, marks 2 years since the Upper West Shore Alliance initiated a petition for a Corridor Study on Highway 93. We’ve spent the past 2 years advocating for the study. In April of 2023, our directors participated in a meeting with the Transportation Commission in Helena asking that they study this precarious corridor. We stay continually engaged with the leadership in both Lake and Flathead Counties advocating for safe passage on Highway 93.

We are thrilled to share with you that Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl has informed us that MDT nominated Hwy 93 from Polson to Somers for a Corridor Study. The nomination had a positive outcome and the study commenced in March. All work is anticipated to be completed by May 2025. MDT is conducting the study in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), Lake County, Flathead County, resources agencies, and the public. There will be a total of six opportunities for the public to participate in a public meeting about this study. The published schedule reflects that the first public meeting will be held in August 2024. The Upper West Shore Alliance will use our social media platforms to provide notifications of the meetings.

Public comments will be collected and considered throughout the planning process. Details are provided on MDT’s website.

As part of the study, MDT will also develop an Access Management Plan for the Polson to Somers corridor. An access management plan is a proactive strategy to ensure safe and efficient use of the highway while considering the needs of local communities and stakeholders. Access management plays a crucial role in enhancing roadway safety, functionality, compatibility with development, and overall operation.

You can review the details of the US 93 Polson-Somers Corridor Study on MDT’s website. Details include a Plan Overview, Study Area, Schedule, and FAQs. There is also an Interactive Commenting Map.

Lakeside Pedestrian Study

Adams Street has been completed.
"MDT recommends no additional enhanced traffic control devices to the existing intersection at this time. Although the number of pedestrians during the summer may warrant a signal occasionally, the existing RRFB is functioning as intended and bringing attention to the pedestrians wanting to cross US 93. No other warrants were met and any changes to the intersection traffic control (roundabout, all-way stop-control, or signalization) would likely cause the intersection to perform worse with a lower level of service. Even if further improvements were justified, existing conditions prevent further pedestrian safety and intersection improvements without addressing the lack of pedestrian facilities, local access, and parking on the west side of US 93 and north of Bills Road."

Pedestrian Studies for Bills Road and Bierney Creek are also being completed. Hopefully, we will have those studies soon and will add those here.

US93-AdamsStreet_TCS001 (pdf)

Download

Completed Lakeside Speed Study

Public Comment is Now closed. THE Next OPPORTUNITY will be t

Flathead County Commissioners are asking for public comments regarding Speed Limit Recommendations on the stretch of US 93 through Lakeside starting at MM 93 (Glacier Camp/West Shore State Park area) and ending at Hwy 82 in Somers.

We encourage anyone with concerns regarding speeds along this stretch of Highway 93 to read the Speed Study Report and email your comments to the Commissioners at cocontactus@flathead.mt.gov.

The Lakeside Somers Chamber of Commerce submitted comments on May 27, 2024, recommending a 25 MPH speed limit through Lakeside and a 35 MPH speed limit through Somers. The Upper West Shore Alliance supports the Chamber's recommendations. Like the Chamber, we believe that a reduction in speed limits will foster a safer environment for all highway users; pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. You can read the Chamber's public comment here.

Download PDF

Speed Study Updates

Speed Study Updates for both Lake and Flathead Counties on Highway 93.

Rollins Speed Study:
The Transportation Commissioners approved the MDT recommended speed limit change to 65mph beginning around 490-feet north of the intersection with Northaire Lane and continuing north to Milepost 93, just north of the entrance to West Shore State Park and Glacier Camp.

Rebecca Franke received the finalized signing plans and sent out the installation work order. Signage should be installed by the end of the month.

You can hear a recording of the Transportation Commissioners meeting on our YouTube Channel. HERE

Lakeside/Somers Speed Study:
This speed study was originally requested on September 12, 2022. Data was to be collected in the summer of 2023. Due to highway construction, the speed study was pushed back. The data was collected on August 2, 2023. A report from MDT with recommendations can take many months. We will keep you posted but expect to see the report around spring of 2024.

Elmo to Dayton Speed Study:
A speed study was requested on August 3, 2023, from Elmo to Dayton. The MDT Speed Study Map shows that the data was collected on September 10, 2023. Again we will keep you posted.

Upper West Shore Alliance

Bob Vosen, MDT District 1 Administrator, August 7, 2025

February 2025 Public Meetings

Polson Open House

Polson Open House

Somers Open House

Polson Open House

Virtual Event

Virtual Event

9/26/2024 Public Zoom

Corridor Study Approved for US 93 from Polson to Somers

Lakeside Pedestrian Study

Completed Lakeside Speed Study

Speed Study Updates

Speed Study Updates for both Lake and Flathead Counties on Highway 93.

PDF Viewer

PDF Viewer

Upper West Shore Alliance

Bob Vosen, MDT District 1 Administrator, August 7, 2025

February 2025 Public Meetings

Polson Open House

Polson Open House

Somers Open House

Polson Open House

Virtual Event

Virtual Event

9/26/2024 Public Zoom

Corridor Study Approved for US 93 from Polson to Somers

Lakeside Pedestrian Study

Completed Lakeside Speed Study

Speed Study Updates

Speed Study Updates for both Lake and Flathead Counties on Highway 93.

PDF Viewer

PDF Viewer

This website uses cookies.