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| North Fork Flathead Road Corridor Study |
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· Study Focus · Schedule · Documents · FAQs · Public Involvement · Related Links |
| Study Contacts |
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Jim Dupont Flathead County Commissioner 406.758.5503 Sheila Ludlow MDT Project Manager 406.444.9193 |
| Other Contacts |
Doug Moeller MDT Missoula District Adminstrator 406.523.5802 Shane Stack MDT Engineering Services Supervisor 406.523.5830 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Corridor Planning Study?
A Corridor Planning Study is a high-level evaluation of safety, environmental and geometric concerns along a transportation corridor where needs, possible improvement options and costs are identified before a project can proceed. Community input and consensus is an important consideration in this process. It is important to note that the Corridor Planning Study is part of a planning process and is not a design or construction project. Another consideration is how costs and the availability of funding affect the nature of any possible improvements and phasing of the possible improvements.
The North Fork Flathead Road (NFFR) Corridor Planning Study allows for earlier planning-level coordination with the public, resource agencies and other entities. The study may develop specific factors that can be used in the future if a subsequent environmental review process is required.
What does a "pre-NEPA Corridor Study" mean?
NEPA is the National Environmental Policy Act. Modeled after NEPA, MEPA is the Montana Environmental Policy Act, and it only applies to state agencies and state actions. NEPA is a federal law that outlines policies, goals, and procedures to insure environmental information is available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and actions are taken. The NEPA process is intended to assist public officials in making decisions taking into account the human and natural environment and the public's need for safe and efficient transportation. The NFFR Corridor Study is a pre-NEPA/MEPA study that will include a high level environmental scan of potential issues.
Who is conducting this study?
Flathead County, with support from Montana Department of Transportation (MDT), is conducting this study. Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) is assisting Flathead County and MDT in completing the planning effort by the end of August, 2010.
Who has ownership and responsibility for maintenance of this stretch of the North Fork Flathead Road (NFFR)?
The portion of the NFFR being studied is on the State of Montana's Secondary Highway System 486 (S-486). S-486 is a major collector and serves as the north-south corridor between Columbia Falls and the Camas Road intersection that leads into Glacier National Park. This portion of the route is also designated as Forest Highway 61. The NFFR continues north from the Camas Road intersection to the Canadian border and is designated as a local road.
From Columbia Falls to RP 12.3 (end of pavement), the NFFR is maintained by state forces. From the end of pavement to Camas Road, it is maintained by Flathead County. From Camas Road to the Canadian Border, it is a local road and maintained by Flathead County.
Due to the MDT Secondary Road designation and Forest Highway designation, the portion of the route from Columbia Falls to the Camas Road intersection is eligible for Secondary Capital Construction Program funding through MDT and the Forest Highway Construction Program funding through Western Federal Lands Highways Division, a branch of the Federal Highways Administration. The portion north of Camas Road intersection is the responsibility of Flathead County. View study area map
What steps will be taken during the Corridor Study?
The following steps will be followed to produce an effective corridor study plan. These include:
- Identify corridor study candidate. Over the years, the NFFR corridor north of Columbia Falls, Montana has generated much discussion among local residents regarding the purpose and role this corridor plays in the region. Due to the high level of concern, this corridor has been identified for further study by Flathead County and MDT.
- Develop corridor study work plan. The planning team will assess the complexity of issues within the corridor and the level of effort required to address the issues.
- Develop existing and projected conditions report. The report will analyze existing and projected conditions, incorporate findings from an environmental scan, and consider local community vision, goals and objectives. Perceived corridor deficiencies, known impacts and potential mitigation opportunities will be documented as part of the report.
- Identify needs, issues, impacts, goals, and screening criteria. The planning team will consider comments from resource agencies and public involvement to develop screening criteria and objectives for improvement options analysis. The screening criteria will be related to the identified needs, issues, impacts, goals, costs, and funding and resources available.
- Determine improvement options advanced and not advanced. The planning team will analyze each improvement option using the identified screening criteria leading to a selection of preliminary improvement options advanced and not advanced.
- Recommend improvement options. The planning team will recommend potential improvement options (if any) for NFFR. Potential impacts, mitigation opportunities and estimated costs will be identified for each option.
- Prepare draft corridor study report. Based on key findings, needs, screening criteria, and recommendations, the planning team will develop a draft corridor study report. Input and comments on the draft report will be obtained from resource agencies, stakeholders, and through public involvement.
- Make recommendations. The planning team will finalize the corridor study report. This Corridor Planning Study may then transition forward to implementation.
What happens next?
The study serves only as a planning process, not a design or environmental project. Based on the results of the study, Flathead County will determine what, if any action to pursue.
How can the public/community become involved in the study?
The general public is invited to participate in the process through public meetings and ongoing project information review and input. A web site has been developed to provide on-line opportunities to comment on the needs of the NFFR and later on the draft plan recommendations. Dates, times, and locations for all public outreach will be announced prior to the events through the local media and the project mailing list.
The study team, made up of members from Flathead County, the MDT, FHWA, WFL, Forest Service and Glacier National Park, and PB will collect and consider all public comments received to better understand the public view of potential issues. The team will then determine the next steps based on information gathered from local governments, regulatory agencies, stakeholders and the general public.
Those with a specific interest in the project are encouraged to join the project mailing list. They can do so by submitting their name and contact information to Lani Eggertsen-Goff at the mailing address or e-mail address, shown below, or completing and returning the project comment sheets from the public meetings.
When is the best time to give comments?
Although there is no formal time period for the study team to receive comments, the study process will take six months so early input and comment is important.
How can I stay informed and be part of the process?
To keep the public informed about the study, project information is being published on this web site, in local media venues, and in newsletters. The public may also provide input or questions online which will be recorded in the study record, and the study mailing address. A copy of each comment will also be shared with these individuals:
| Jim Dupont Flathead County Commissioner |
Sheila Ludlow MDT Project Manager |
| Lani Eggertsen-Goff Project Manager, PB Americas 488 E. Winchester Street, Suite 400 Murray, UT 84107 | 801.288.3220 |
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